Senator Tracey Vallois, who has signed a ministerial decision following updated medical advice, said that any possibility of reopening schools in some form from the start of June would be ‘kept under continuous review’.
Government schools and colleges will remain closed until Friday 22 May, the scheduled start of the half-term holiday, with non-government schools, early-years settings, childminders and private nurseries advised to follow suit.
Highlands College, which does not have a summer half-term break, will be closed until at least 29 May. With schools having been closed to the majority of pupils since 20 March, the minister thanked parents, carers and students for their understanding during a period she described as ‘unsettling and difficult’.
‘I know that, as a parent myself, these have been testing times, but the feedback is that parents are doing a wonderful job home-schooling and our students are working so hard on their learning,’
she said.
‘I also want to acknowledge and thank everyone in our childcare settings, schools and colleges, and across the Education Department, for the huge amount of work that has been undertaken to provide continuity of care and learning. I am especially pleased with the support provided to pupils and students through online platforms, email and other resources.’
Senator Vallois also provided an update on work to review the funding and fee issues related to nurseries, schools and colleges.
‘I would like to thank parents and carers for continuing to pay fees and for understanding the difficult position our fee-paying schools are facing,’ she said. ‘Continuing to pay these fees is crucial to the sustainability of our schools and underpins the alternative online learning and teaching arrangements that the schools and colleges have put in place.
‘I recognise that there is a desire for normal service to resume as soon as possible and, for that reason alone, we share a strong commitment to the ongoing viability of our schools.’
The minister confirmed that fee increases that had been approved and were due to be implemented in December would not be implemented, with a decision regarding 2021 fees set to be reviewed.
Senator Vallois added: ‘I understand the impact Covid-19 will be having on some parents’ personal finances and that paying fees may be increasingly difficult or out of reach. Parents whose income is impacted should, in the first instance, contact their school for a confidential discussion. Fee-paying schools have existing hardship schemes and can discuss with parents how and when these can be accessed.’
The minister said she would consider options to boost funds available via hardship schemes should existing funds prove insufficient.
- The Education Department has also announced a major new ‘Learning At Home’ online initiative to provide parents with practical advice and resources to help with home learning, while schools remain closed. The site is available at learningathome.gov.je and is due to go live today.
