The Tribune

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AFTER being closed for nearly three weeks, public schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Central Andros will reopen today, with the exception of Government High School in the capital and Walker Parker Primary in Grand Bahama, which were the hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew.

In a press release yesterday, the Ministry of Education said Government High School (GHS) will not reopen until Wednesday, October 26, however “the attendance of the students will be staggered until the completion of repairs.”

On Wednesday, only 12th grade students are to report to GHS. Students in the 11th and 10th grades will return to school this Thursday and Friday respectively.

Further updates for GHS will be issued on Friday, October 28.

In Grand Bahama, only the 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students of Eight Mile Rock High will return to school on Tuesday. Students in grade 7, 8 and 9 will return on Wednesday, October 26.

Students of Walter Parker Primary School will return to school on Thursday, October 27.

At Jack Hayward Senior High, 10th and 12th graders will return to school today and 11th graders will return on Wednesday.

The ministry said contractors are doing their best to ensure that all classrooms are fully operational by October 31.

“Despite the severity of the damages at C I Gibson and Government High School, the Ministry of Education would like to thank the contractors for their commitment to the restoration efforts as they have been working overtime to ensure that works are completed in the shortest time possible,” the statement said.

“They understood the importance of working aggressively to return our schools to a state of normalcy and we commend them for making our schools a priority. They are doing their best to ensure that all classrooms are fully operational by Monday, October 31.

“The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology thanks the public, especially parents for their patience and cooperation in the midst of this unusual circumstance. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the administrators, teachers and staff who placed service above self and united to rebuild the spirit of their school communities. We look forward to welcoming our students, teachers and staff to school this week and hope that they will all be focused as we do our best to make up for the time that has been lost.”

Last week, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said the decision to delay school openings was made after “careful consideration and consultation” with various stakeholders, including Bahamas Power and Light, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville and district superintendents for the islands.

He also encouraged parents whose students lost their uniforms and other school supplies as a result of Hurricane Matthew to make good use of Social Services.

Mr Fitzgerald announced that Social Services Director Melanie Zonicle would give assistance with uniforms, backpacks and other basic supplies to those families in need, after the effects of Matthew.

He also advised administrators to be mindful that some students may have lost personal effects during the storm and encouraged them to be sensitive to the circumstances of students, particularly those who may not have any or complete uniforms.

All teachers are to report to work today.