We put the very same question to the Minister of Human Development Hon Dolores Balderamos Garcia.
She was quick to roll her eyes at all the naysayers and reiterated the sentiment that the process will indeed be phased. She added that the confusion over the phasing is ample illustration of why school must re-open.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People's Affairs
"I would like to say that I give Minister Fonseca my hundred percent support. I think the ministry of education and of course Miss Diane Maheia, his CEO, we have to learn English in this country yo know. They said a phased approach to reopening of the schools beginning on the twelfth of April; it never say all schools and all teachers are forced back into the classrooms on the twelfth of April. When the schools are ready; when they have they wash basin and they hand sanitizers and soap and physical infrastructure that they can open, then they will open. And I have every confidence in Miss Maheia and Minister Fonseca that they will make the right decisions. Since you have given me the opportunity, I would like to call on the teachers for full cooperation. I was looking at an interview last night of a teacher. Very big respect to her, but it almost sounded to me like she was speaking out of both sides of her mouth because on one side she was saying we noh ready and on the other hand she said well I love my babies and I ready to take them back and for us to get going because our babies have to get back to school. Even if we call them babies, right up to the age of eighteen, let's get our children back in school. That is what we need to do, but it will be phased."
Schools that hope to re-open during either phase will have to be certified as COVID safe by the MOE
A Press release from the Ministry of Education on the phased reopening says that quote: "Schools will have varying approaches to re-opening."
The Ministry also instructs schools not to force students to wear uniforms or particular styles of shoes during this time explaining that there must be consideration of financial challenges and consideration for students who may be forced to return to the classroom without all the requisite materials.
