Reopening date for government operated schools was pushed back to Tuesday, October 25. (Photo: FN Files)
Despite previous reports that students would return to their respective schools this week, all public schools in Grand Bahama, New Providence and North and Central Andros are now scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 following the midterm break.
Minister of Education Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald held a press conference at the Ministry’s headquarters on Monday, October 17 evening to announce the new date.
This decision comes after careful consideration and consultation with various stakeholders, including Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), the Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville and District Superintendents for the respective islands.
Ministry of Education Science and Technology officials met with Bahamas Power and Light for a status update on the restoration of power supply to schools.
Fitzgerald spoke on the plans to restore electricity to the public schools.
“To a great extent, the reopening of schools is contingent on power being restored to our campuses. Most of our schools rely on power for water supply,” he informed. “I am urging Bahamas Power and Light to realize that the restoration of power to our schools is absolutely essential. We have tens of thousands of students in New Providence whose return to school depends on BPL’s ability to restore power,” he added.
Sunday’s heavy downpours in New Providence also caused setbacks as contractors who were engaged to carry out repairs were unable to carry out any restoration works as scheduled.
It was noted that two important meetings for parents will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.; where school administrators will inform parents of the scheduling for students’ return on October 25 and thereafter. These two meetings are for the parents of C.I. Gibson and the Government High School only. He appealed to all parents of the respective schools to attend the meetings at the following locations:
C.I. Gibson Senior High School parents’ meeting will be held at the school’s gymnasium; The Government High School parents’ meeting will be held at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium.
On Friday the ministry announced that schools in New Providence would open on Tuesday, October 18, with the exception of Government High and CI Gibson Senior High School.
He also announced that schools in Grand Bahama, except the Lewis Yard and Bartlett Hill Primary Schools, and in North Andros, except the Lowe Sound Primary School, were to open on Wednesday, October 19.
On Friday, October 14 he revealed plans to temporarily relocate students from the Grand Bahama schools – Lewis Yard and Bartlett Hill – until repairs were carried out at the campuses; and students from the Lowe Sound campus in Andros for the rest of the school year, as that school has been selected for a total reconstruction effort to get underway in the coming months.
The government announced plans earlier this summer to build a new school in the community.
Fitzgerald also utilized the press conference on Monday to further address concerns he raised on Friday, to remind both educators and the public of the mental and emotional toll leveled on students in the wake of Hurricane Matthew and its devastation.
He suggested to parents whose students lost their uniforms and other school supplies as a result of Hurricane Matthew to make good use of Social Services.
Fitzgerald then announced that Social Services Director, Melanie Zonicle, will give assistance with uniforms, backpacks and other basic supplies to those families in need, after the effects of Matthew.
On Friday he advised administrators to be mindful that some students may have lost personal effects during the storm and encouraged administrators to be sensitive to the circumstances of students, particularly those who may not have any or complete uniforms.
“They are to use good judgment and give some lenience during the next couple of weeks,” he said.
The minister concluded the press conference by thanking the public for their patience and understanding as the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology continues to work diligently to ensure that students return to school quickly and at the safest time possible.
Schools in Abaco, Acklins, South Andros, Mangrove Cay, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, Ragged Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador – islands not as adversely affected by Matthew’s passage across the Bahamas earlier this month - re-opened last Tuesday, October 11.
By Abria Cooper
Freeport News/Guardian
