But while the Ministry of Education is promising to bend, its efforts could just be broken by the ongoing COVID surge.
And right about now there are many parents watching the numbers go up and wondering out loud if it's really the best time for a return to school?
Reporter
"With covid cases in general at such an all-time high, why proceed right now?"
Dian Maheia, CEO, Ministry of Education
"Because while the covid cases are high, so is the need for a lot of these children and its really something that we cannot deny. It's hard because we hear from the 2 extreme ends, we recognize the need to be aware of living with covid. We can't deny that covid is a deadly disease. We also recognize that this disease is not going anywhere in the forceable future and we see how students have really suffered in so many ways, because they haven't been in the classroom. This is us working to live up to our commitment. We said in conjunction with the Ministry of Health that come October 4th, we would be ready to work to bring the students back, so we are doing that and our recognition of the seriousness of covid is precisely what has stop us from saying all schools open, we are fully back in session. That's not what we are saying. We have asked schools to also be flexible, so that where there are parents saying it doesn't matter what you say, my child is not going back, that the children should be able to continue with whatever remote or distance learning options are in place for that school. That's not something that we are saying has to happen, that you have to release your child and send your child into the public if that's not something you are comfortable with. We believe that the schools can be re-open safely, we believe that the protocols are in place and that everyone knows that needs to happen, wearing your mask properly all the time, watching your distance consistently, washing and sanitizing your hands frequently. These are things that we have been teaching your children of all ages and they learn them better than some of the adults. We really believe that with following the protocols and with a measured and a gradual return, that we can bring the children back safely."
We also asked Maheia if schools have to have a certain percentage of vaccinated teachers to apply, but she said no. She also told us that while there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to percentages, it may comfort you to know that 90% of teachers nationwide have been vaccinated.
But, the UDP doesn't want to hear that. Today the opposition sent out a release calling the decision to push on with school openings, quote, "rushed and unjustified" and they question, quote, "Schools were not allowed to open for face-to-face classes when there were 45 cases, but it is now safe to send children back to school when positive cases surpass 200 per day with alarming records of up to 5 deaths per day as seen on September 30th, 2021(?)"
The UDP concludes, quote, "the younger population often acts as carriers of the virus. Thus, many of our students will be jeopardizing the overall health of their individual households, especially their elders."
