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Cabinet announcing full school reopening by next week – Premier Fahie

-Gov't exploring funding avenues for schools to meet COVID-19 guidelines
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced that given no active confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the territory, the VI cabinet will be making moves to re-open schools. Photo: GIS/File
Schools will be expected to meet COVID-19 guidelines to re-open with more details expected from Cabinet, Premier Andrew A. Fahie said. Photo: VINO/File
Schools will be expected to meet COVID-19 guidelines to re-open with more details expected from Cabinet, Premier Andrew A. Fahie said. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced that given no active confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the territory, the VI cabinet will be making moves to fully reopen schools.

He was at the time speaking during a Friday, October 9, 2020 interview with 284 Media, on a number of issues in the territory while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Premier, “The Minister of Education [Dr. The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7)] this week and up to last night had a meeting with the Financial Secretary. We're making sure that we get all the necessary funds put together to make those schools that are still needing certain attention, received those.”

He said immediate attention issues include, hand basins for washing of hands and also the implementation of other measures and resources to deal with the COVID-19 situation in the schools.

Cabinet to announce details – Premier Fahie

“Cabinet will pass next week that the schools should be opening, I don't want to steal their thunder but the but to alleviate some of the fears, the answer is yes, we are working feverously towards it,” he said.

The Premier’s announcement comes as the territory on October 7, 2020, confirmed that it has zero confirmed active cases of the deadly novel coronavirus at a time when the territory prepares to reopen its borders to international tourists on December 1, 2020.

Health Minister Hon Carvin Malone (AL) however has warned that no active case in the territory does not mean the VI is in the clear regarding no cases at all.

Schools were scheduled to stay closed for the remainder of the 2020 school term with some institutions approved for a phased reopening with COVID-19 measures in place. 

31 Responses to “Cabinet announcing full school reopening by next week – Premier Fahie”

  • Expat (10/10/2020, 11:44) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
    Some parents are still locked out open the borders for them before december 1st.
    • @Xpats. I ageee (10/10/2020, 12:13) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      For the people with strong ties and connection in the BVI..Good way to test their new protocol system....
  • Nice. (10/10/2020, 12:35) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Whats the plan?
  • Stay Woke (10/10/2020, 12:44) Like (40) Dislike (3) Reply
    Parents make sure to tell your kids not to allow the nurses or doctors at the school to give them any type of vaccinations shots !
    • Let it go! (10/10/2020, 13:16) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
      The nurse/ Dr cannot give vaccination shots unless parents approve. That would be crazy for any nurse or Dr to vaccinate my child and i didnt consent. Real maddo move that will be!
      • hmm (11/10/2020, 06:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        You take words out of my mouth. Consent have to be given first before any vaccine can be given.
    • Thank ful (10/10/2020, 13:19) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank u for that stay woke u are right no shots
    • True (10/10/2020, 21:19) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Exactly. Like how they check their ears etc without permission sometimes. It happens. So I agree with you.
  • school (10/10/2020, 14:35) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    If every where else open why keep them home. I can tell you these kids are really longing to personally interact with their friends. Less stress for them, their parents and teachers
    • This is not true (10/10/2020, 21:21) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      I guess everyone should speak for themselves. You do not represent my childrens' views nor mine. Stop doing that.
  • parent (10/10/2020, 15:02) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    Some of us do not have the funds to supply school uniforms so what is the next move?
  • Youngin (10/10/2020, 15:05) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is good but plz give parents enough time to purchase uniform and so forth.
  • Opinion (10/10/2020, 16:34) Like (46) Dislike (48) Reply
    I think they should just let the online school flow till the end of the year without any interruptions annd restart school in January.
    • Agreed!!!! (10/10/2020, 21:31) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Especially when we see how the face to face mandatory choice is playing out badly in many other countries.
      Let's just be safe this term as was announced and as we work on opening the boarders up OR at the very least give parents the choice of two systems. Those who need to hustle their children out, for whatever the reason, let them do that and choose that, and those who want to be safe and keep their children safe at home for health and other reasons , let us choose that online option. I am so tired of some parents just bullying other to choose like the choose.
  • resident (10/10/2020, 16:39) Like (33) Dislike (18) Reply
    What happen to the old uniform? You knew this was coming eventually why wait so long to get uniform? The majority of young parents have fancy hairstyles all kinds of nails brand name everything dont talk about the latest phone and SUV too but their children have no uniform!!!!SMH
    • LIT (11/10/2020, 11:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      People like me cant use old uniforms as we have normal children that grow everyday; and have not worked since march to buy anything new or school books, I need school to open so I can return to work, but because the dam system so dam down, I am not even fully prepared to send them to school. Not every parent walks around with their hair done or nails or the best clothes, some are just like me, struggling before COVID and now even worse cause of COVID and government wont assist financially to those who really are in need so what you are saying can and will not apply to everyone.
    • Who feels it (11/10/2020, 14:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who's the majority. Really. The majority of us havent been able to purchase uniforms as we are on stringent budget. Lots of us had to go buy the devices and upgrade our internet package to accommodate the online learning. Yea they may be a few doing what you said by believe me many of us are scrunting and catching our @$$ given the economic downturn. I have 2 mouths and the both need their own stuff so please dont be quick to speak for many of us who have it really hard.
    • Be considerate of others... (12/10/2020, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some parents are unemployed or underemployed, some parents are out of the Territory. Life is hard because of Covid 19. I hope that they will run the online until end of this term and then reopen in January. They could even give a choice of the classroom or online learning. Some students are doing better online, less interaction or distraction.
  • what (10/10/2020, 17:15) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Some of unemployed from March where are the funds goin to come from to pay day care and to buy new uniforms and books etc supermarkets already sky high
  • Hmm (10/10/2020, 17:33) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am laid off and is not getting relief from SSB i have 2 kids to tend to how will i be able to purchase school supplies and clothings???
    • care (11/10/2020, 15:21) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
      So no father support here .i bet you still go hair dresser and do nails with some the ssb money .
      Leard to paddle the canoe.
  • janet (10/10/2020, 17:46) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    They have to give parents some time to get uniforms. since lock down my child is eating everything and is much bigger. After they say school would open next year there were no sense buying them and I am unemployed.
  • To Premier - CONCERNED (10/10/2020, 19:34) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    While i think it is good that the cases are down. Why not wait until after the borders are open. Let us see how that play out first before we have out kids out in the middle of it. Remember we are putting measure in place for December anticipating the best but we don't really know for sure what will happen. December is a very busy time of the month. It is a time when many visitors come and a time when many residents leave the Territory and return. Why not leave things as they are instead of reopen all schools. It will also allow some parents a little more time to get their kids uniform. Remember many parents had been off from work for months. It hasn't been easy.
  • School Safety Plan (10/10/2020, 19:46) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome news for many but please don't rush the brush just to make an impression and score points. What is the reopening plan? In addition to sanitization and masks, does the school safety protocol plan include taking the children's temperature at the start and end of each school day? That safety measure has been taken by most if not all the public schools already opened in the region. For optimum social distancing will the daily & weekly schedules be staggered? We want our children back in school SAFELY, especially the younger ones, so please don't rush the brush just to make an impression and score political points. Come with a well-thought plan that takes the parents concerns into consideration.
    • Bvi Teacher (11/10/2020, 08:58) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you for this COMMENT. EVERYTHING is TALK TALK with the POWERS that BE. They NEED to EXPLAIN the SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN in EVERY DETAIL and Ensure a GUARANTEE that it is the BEST possible PLAN. I am NOT RISKING My LIFE until this is DONE!!!!
      • usa (11/10/2020, 09:26) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        @BVI Teacher, I am with you on this. Here in the USA, the schools that attempted to open had to shut right back down due to the fact that some of the teachers is contacting the virus and the kids have to go in quarantine. So far two TEACHERS HAVE DIED FROM COVID AS SOON AS THEY WENT BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM. I have a cousin who is a Teacher in Florida and she said she would quit before going back in the classroom to teach.
  • parent (10/10/2020, 21:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My child is doing remote learning at home and the class teacher is requesting every parent to send hp 952 xl ink all 4 colors. I'll like to know if this legal?
  • Parent. (11/10/2020, 06:54) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is no pleasing people. You all wanted the school open now they opening is another story. You all think the govt make up of 5 year olds. Don't you think they are putting plans and policies in place for reopening. I empathise with the parents who are not working and who cannot afford a new uniform at this time. When the school reopens ask the principal to please allow the child to wear other clothes until you can get the uniform. In the meantime ask an aunt cousin godmother to assist. Where are the fathers? Fathers please make sure you are there for your children.
  • Heckler (11/10/2020, 12:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Setting up for wave 2...The world is recording record increases in new cases and the VI planning for little to no quarantine for visitors and returnees, and open schools.

    https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/who-world-sets-one-day-record-over-350000-new-coronavirus-cases
  • belonger (11/10/2020, 23:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Premier. Please take your time and make sure we are prepared for this.
    Schools are the ideal places for the spreading of contagious diseases. One infected child can easily spread the virus to 30, 40 children.
  • send help (12/10/2020, 12:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyday I pray for this government to use wisdom in making decisions but what is the sense. What is the rush???!!! I am going to look back and see that this was not a smart move on the part of this government. Mr Premier MUCH HASTE MAKES MUCH WASTE.


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