BVI News

Schools going online for new term as COVID-19 spike continues

The reopening of all public schools for the new academic term has been diverted to online platforms with the continued rapid rise in positive COVID-19 cases in the territory. 

In a very brief statement issued by the Ministry of Education on January 1, parents were also informed that schools would now reopen on January 6 instead, two days later than originally planned. 

However, the release stated that principals and teachers are expected to begin on Tuesday, January 4 for the start of the school term.

Ministry expresses caution

The release further indicated that the push to online learning platforms was most likely a result of the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in the territory.

The most recent disclosure from health officials on December 31 put the number of positive COVID-19 cases at 423 persons, with the majority of these (332 cases) being on Tortola.

The Education Ministry expressed that they were “being cautious as they monitor the situation.”

This is not the first instance of schools being forced to go online in the BVI. Local educational facilities were previously asked to go digital at the beginning of the last academic year.

Notably, schools reopened for face-to-face learning sessions at the beginning of the current school year following a deadly COVID-19 surge last July that claimed the lives of more than 35 persons.

Both divisions of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) were also asked to revert to online learning as the academic term came to a close last year.

We want to hear from you

Meanwhile, Education Ministry officials said they were seeking feedback from families affected by the current COVID-19 spike. 

In the release, parents were encouraged to complete a survey released by the ministry.

Persons who require additional information about the survey are asked to contact the principal or administration unit of their child’s school. 

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9 Comments

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  1. Hmm says:

    WHY are private schools mum on the top? Stop playing with children lives to secure fees!

    Like 2
    Dislike 4
    • Really now says:

      Fees have to be paid anyway—-whether online or face to face. Seems you don’t have any interest in a Private school. I’m sure they’ve announced by now what’s the plan to their parents and students.

  2. SMH says:

    Why would Education Ministry wait until the last minute to give announcements. This is so unfair and inconsiderate to Working Parents especially during these hard economic times. Sometimes I wonder why there is two highly educated Permanent Secretaries, two Assistant Secretaries, two or more Senior Education Officers and Yet We are going NoWhere!

    Like 9
    Dislike 4
  3. Secret Bear says:

    It’s safe for the public official making these decisions to go out and do shots at the bar last night, but not safe for kids to go to school in person.

    What is wrong with this picture?

    Like 13
    Dislike 6
  4. Thoughtful Sailor says:

    In my years of meetings and interactions with BVI Government officials, including Ministers, only once was a meeting called with more than two days notice. It is as if the private sector has nothing better to do than sit around, waiting for Government’s call. Perhaps it is a reflection on how officials plan and use their time. I am sure we can all recall the short notice (two day) given for the massive occasion when hundreds were given their belonger or resident status. Or the Premier’s habitual tardiness on the public COVID briefings. If you have interactions with Government, you have surely experienced meeting cancellations at the last minute or when actually sitting, waiting for a meeting to start! With this record of complete disrespect for the time of others, why would one think that there would be adequate advance notice of online education? Talk to any former student of the Minister about his record on punctuality! It starts at the top.

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
    • says:

      Doc when are we going to get our grades? This alone should have told the people of the 7th district how he would perform – words are just words. The one before him can relax too he had his 20 so it is time for a new face but someone who ready because then it would not do excusing the one now. You all come good. When that switch was done for one doc to the other might as well we had leave the one before.

      • Really says:

        @601 cases and you still want to let children go to school. Well i love mines and prefer them to stay home than to go out there and catch this ungodly devil virus which i curse in Jesus mighty name.

        Like 10
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  5. help says:

    i have no internet at home. and cant afford it. what are my children to do now? please advise..

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
    • begger says:

      sure bet you have internet on your phone to type the comment stop complain and give thanks for life ant try do the best for your children cause if cases rocket high rising here in the bvi what u want the government to do still send the kids school?

      Like 3
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