EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd said officials have not yet made a decision as to how schools will reopen in September due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

His comments come as the country is experiencing another resurgence of cases and an increase in hospitalisations.

Mr Lloyd said while it’s too early to tell which instruction model will be used for the upcoming fall semester, Bahamians can be assured schools will reopen in September.

He also said whichever model the ministry chooses will not come without the approval of health officials.

“The Ministry of Education is in the most aggressive and advanced discussions as we speak and will continue to prepare for any eventuality come September and it is the full intention that school resumes in some form in September 2021,” Mr Lloyd said when contacted by this newspaper.

“Do not forget we have three modalities of which we can operate. Number one, pure virtual (classes). Number two, pure face-to-face and number three, some combination of both and we are right now looking at exactly what happens given certain circumstances that may present at that time.

“And you always remember me saying, there will be no decision that is not approved by, guided by, underpinned by the guidance, the direction and the recommendations of the health officials of the commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

In any event, Mr Lloyd insisted officials will be prepared when schools reopen.

Schools across the country closed in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but were reopened after the summer break last October.

However, schools in New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma were only teaching virtually until given the go-ahead to begin phased face-to-face learning under a hybrid model in February.

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