BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 12, 2021– In late March, Cabinet approved the phased reopening of schools across the country, starting Monday, April 12, 2021. A memo issued by the CEO in the Ministry of Education announced that schools would be opened in two groups, with the first group reopening their classrooms on April 12. It has been one year since schools shuttered their doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and since then students have been forced to learn virtually. During that time, both teachers and parents have expressed their frustration with the challenges posed by distance learning and highlighted the need for the return to face-to-face lessons.

Since the announcement on March 24 that schools would be reopening, 211 schools have applied to be a part of the phased reopening process. On Monday, the first fifty-five schools approved by the Ministry — out of sixty-five which submitted applications — will be reopening their doors to students.

Schools are given approval for reopening only after being visited by a representative from their District Education Center. A total of 161 schools have applied to reopen on May 10.

“Fifty-five of those schools have been visited by their district education centers (DEC), who have verified the schools’ readiness for approval to be granted to them. These verification visits from the DECs are ongoing to ensure that all schools are ready for the safe return of teachers and students. The remaining six schools in this first group will be returning in May for various reasons,” a release from the Ministry of Education stated.

Schools must ensure they put in place protocols to ensure adherence to physical distancing recommendations.

Schools will have varied approaches. Schedules will differ, and so will the groups of students who will be returning to the classroom for shorter periods of time. “All managements and administrations have been asked to be mindful of economic constraints and to not place unnecessary demands on students and their families. The Ministry of Education is working with the approved schools to put in place the requisite school bus runs and school feeding programs so that, step by step, the needs of all students can be addressed as best as possible, “ the release states.

And while the Ministry has fast-tracked the reopening of schools, the release reminds institutions that reopening is only optional at this point.

While the reopening of school just months before the summer holiday may seem to be an unnecessary expense, the Ministry has stated that schools are encouraged to use the opportunity to implement their learning continuity plan and access students before the new school year.

Teachers are also encouraged to get vaccinated. The release from the Education Ministry stated that the recommendations and measures being implemented are all being put in place to prepare for the official start of the new school year, the academic year 2021-2022.