Back-To-School Formula Enters Phase two Of In-Person Classes Across TCI

#TurksandCaicos, April 21, 2021 – After months of learning suspension in TCI, classroom learning is finally back, and students have started attending in-person lessons in schools. The reopening of schools last week marked another incredible level of resilience in the economic recovery and back-to-normalcy efforts.

During an interview with the Minister for Education, when she visited the new Thelma Lightbourne Primary School in Long Bay,  Rachel Taylor thanked the Department of Education, teachers, principals, and parents for making phase two of the reopening of schools in TCI possible.

“I wanna take this opportunity to congratulate the Department of Education for the work they’ve done in preparation for the reopening of schools in Phase two, and this time to thank the teachers, principles, and the parents as well for the collaborative action they have shown in an act to open in a successful manner,” said Minister Taylor.

The Minister further explained that the Department of Education was aware of the challenges faced during the reopening of schools but worked past them. According to Mrs. Taylor, the main challenge was around the “internet capacity.” But the teachers joined efforts with school principals to ensure the students were able to go on with their learning sessions.

She also addressed the bus service issue and explained there was a budget constraint.  But, she affirmed the problem had been resolved, giving hope for the availability of bus service starting within this week.

The Minister added that testing for Covid-19 in schools is mandatory for public servants. This comes when the government has ramped up the vaccination drive to fight Covid-19 out of the islands.

The reopening of schools was in line with the Minister for Education’s announcement in March that Schools would start reopening from March 22 to April 3, 2021, after which classroom lessons would resume.