Students from Years 1 to 11 to return to school on either 29th November or 4th January

Minister for Education Premila Kumar has confirmed that students from Years 1 to 11 will return to school from 29th November this year if everything goes well.

Kumar says this is based on the fact that there is an increase in vaccination uptake amongst children and adults and there is a drop in positive cases.

She adds if this does not happen then schools will re-open for all students on 4th January next year.

Kumar says this is also based on the fact that we do not have a third wave of COVID-19 in the country.

She has also revealed that from a total of 13,455 Year 12 students, 4,621 students have received their first jab while 1,488 students are now fully vaccinated.

For the 8,457 Year 13 students, 24% have received their first jab while 50% are fully vaccinated. 26% are yet to be vaccinated.

Years 12 and 13 students will return to school on Monday.

Kumar has also assured parents that schools will be a safe place for students, and the teachers will ensure that all necessary COVID-19 protocols are followed.

This follows concerns by some parents that they do not want their vaccinated children to be sitting with unvaccinated children because there is a threat that they could bring the virus home which may pose a risk to the other family members.

When questioned, Kumar says parents can expect these conditions in schools provided they are not working and staying at home 24 hours and neither are they going to the market or any other place.

She says children are more exposed when they accompany their parents to markets and functions when compared to schools where all adults will be fully vaccinated.

The Minister adds schools are far more safe than some of the places the parents are taking their children.