Bahamas sets date for schools to reopen

Students in the Bahamas will return to class on October 5.

Education Minister Jeffery Lloyd announced that public and private schools in New Providence, Abaco and Eleuthera will have online classes while the remaining islands will have in person sessions.

Schools have been closed since March 17 when the first coronavirus cases were confirmed.

Classes were set to resume on September 21 but the day was scrapped due to a spike in COVID-19 cases over the last two months.

According to the Llyod during a virtual media conference in Monday, “this delay allows the ministry and parents and caregivers the opportunity to secure the needed device for the full participation of all involved in the teaching and learning process."

There is also a need to complete the installation of the adequate level of internet service needed for connectivity to the department’s virtual platform for thousands of students who will now remain at home in both the public and the private education sectors.”

So far, 9000 tablets distributed have been given to students in kindergarten and the lower primary school levels.

The Government will be assisting students on the national school lunch program to acquire devices for their education.

Printed packages will also be provided for students who do not have access to electricity and internet services.

National exams for senior secondary school students are Monday Sept 14 and October 2.

Lloyd also said, “this is the last time that we will restart the administration of the national exams. If for any reason, what so ever, the exams are again interrupted before its completion on October 2, they will be cancelled."