BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs

MR. SPEAKER:

As the world grapples with trepidation and uncertainty of the impact of COVID-19, The Ministry and Department of Education continues the  daunting task of education our children amid the horror of this global pandemic.

On March 17, this year, when school buildings across the country were closed, the Ministry of Education expanded its already functioning virtual network platform, and transitioned into 100 percent online education and instruction.

At the start of this Communication, Sir, may I repeat what has already been announced by the Ministry of Education.

BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs

EXAMS:

Firstly, Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases locally, and the recent lockdown of the island of Grand Bahama, The Ministry of Education, in an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all concerned, and to protect the integrity of the national exams, has suspended the 2020 sitting of the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations, effective immediately. Please note, Sir, this is a suspension, NOT A CANCELLATION

It is imperative, therefore, that ALL Examination Candidates, continue their preparation for the exams. Parents, Students and All Others are advised that this suspension is not a pass to relax efforts toward exam preparation. These crucial examinations, which serves as substantial credentials for students, will be administered as soon as clearance is given by the Competent Authority. 

BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs

Secondly,  Public Schools will re-open on September 21st, 2020, at the usual time. As plans are centered around that date, the Ministry will continue to monitor the developments of COVID-19 and will adjust accordingly. In our strategic efforts toward the reopening of schools for the 2020/2021 school year, it is quite evident that one size does not fit all. Cognizant of this fact, the Department of Education, after following carefully the latest developments on the health front, and

OPERATING PARADIGM

Mr. Speaker, over the past few months, The Ministry and Department of Education, after rigorous consultation with international and local education stakeholders and public health officials, have conceived and designed the best strategies for the reopening of schools. It is important the state here, Sir, that in all our considerations, we are and will continue to be Guided by the advice from public health officials and education stakeholders, and what is in the best interests of our Staff and students. The health and safety of Everyone associated with education is paramount. In this present environment, The priority is to minimize the risk of direct infection of COVID-19 as teaching and learning continue, regardless of the path we choose.

Three instructional models have emerged from our intensive deliberations, namely:  Face to Face, Hybrid/Blended Learning, and Online Learning.

There will be at all times, even concurrently, a blend of these models.

Let me be clear, Sir: The Bahamas is an archipelago – with schools in many different environments. Therefore, one size does not fit all. What works best in one scenario may not be best for another.

The ideal arrangement for our children is the FACE-TO-FACE MODEL. Especially those in the pre-primary, the primary and even middle years, This Face-to-Face Model guarantees their most effective social, emotional, intellectual, physical, cultural and spiritual development.  It is the least disruptive to the established routine of our students, parents and our instructional leaders.  It is easier to monitor and evaluate the instructional process and it provides the comfort of normalcy.

It is possible, for instance, that the Euthal Rodgers Primary School in Deep Creek, South Andros, with an enrollment of less than 100 students, would be able to engage in a face to face daily model of learning throughout the day, week and year.  

In some schools, Face-to-Face will work. In others it will not. For instance, in schools with larger student population, and with the necessity of observing all  health protocols, face-to-face cannot work. We simply do not have the space to accommodate the total student body.

If the spread of this virus abates, we will be able to proceed with the entire student body attending the school campus every day, all day.

However, no matter what we do: the required health and safety standards will be rigidly observed and enforced.

There will be the wearing of masks in public for children, where appropriate, physical distancing, with a classroom capacity of 20 square feet per student, staggered lunch times, cancelation of general assemblies where crowds gather, temperature checks, the utilization of multiple entry and exit points on campuses and engaging additional busses to transport students to and from campuses. 

We recognize that some of our Educators who have pre-existing co-morbidities and who may not be available for face to face instruction in the midst of COVID19would have to continue to utilize our online platform to assist with delivering instruction. Additionally, we will have to redeploy some of our teachers according to their specialized skills in order to meet needs in certain specialized areas.

Mr. Speaker, that is the most ideal situation, but unless our Heavenly Father grants us a supernatural miracle, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to proceed with this model throughout most of our schools.


The ONLINE Model

Mr. Speaker, our second option is a fully Online Learning Model.  In this model students remain away from the school’s campus and the entire instruction takes place online, in the home or elsewhere under the supervision of their parents or other suitably qualified adults.

Parents have the right to choose any of the model we have outlined for their children. If they choose this model, it is essentially homeschooling that they have chosen, and will be required to register their child with the Homeschooling Unit of the Ministry of Education.

They can go online to the Ministry’s webpage, or come or call the Ministry for information as to how they may go online and register.

I may remind Parents that the law states in Section 23 of the Education Act:

    It shall be the duty of the parents of every child of compulsory school age to cause him to receive full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude, by regular attendance at school or otherwise.”


The advantages to such a model are that there is minimal risk to the COVID19 virus along with a flexible learning environment which allows students to review the lesson at their pace.  Additionally, the Ministry of Education already operates a virtual platform in place, expanding its capacity to include the entire student populace. 

While, more students can be accommodated in a virtual classroom, We are aware that this is not the most ideal learning option for our pre-primary, lower primary or Special Education students.

We further recognize that between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.;  Monday – Friday, our schools provide safe spaces for many of our children.  With online learning, that duty of care shifts to the home or others and must be well managed if learning is to be successfully carried out.  We further recognize that some parents and guardians are not equipped to assist students as needed and some students are unable to self-regulate.

With this in mind we invite our community stakeholders, to consider providing flexible working hours for our parents and guardians, so they would be in a better position to spend more time at home between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m ...to continue see attached 

Click to download the attached file(s):
• SPEECH.HOA.School_Opening.7.20.pdf

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