Concern is mounting in the education sector over the possibility of another shutdown of Jamaica's school system if the lifting of covid-19 restrictions causes a third spike in cases of the virus.
President of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), Jasford Gabriel, has called for an immediate review of the measures, while President of the Jamaica Association of Infant and Primary School Principals, Violet Thomas-Thompson, wants immediate control mechanisms imposed.
Gabriel believes that with more events and less restrictions the infection rate will soar and force the government to again make tough decisions.
He says this would be a devastating blow to the education sector in the short, medium and long term.
“I am concerned and a little baffled because I am no health expert. But what I have in my favor is our experience on how we have been tracking issues across the world. The World Health Organisation says that less than five percent consistency in positivity rate has to be achieved to have any comfort level. If we have not been able to achieve that - teaches, we beg for them to be in the priority group - so how are we relaxing the measures to this extent?”
And President of the Jamaica Association of Infant and Primary School Principals, Violet Thomas-Thompson, is worried about the situation.
She believes with the temperament of Jamaicans a spike in covid-19 cases is inevitable.
“What we’re saying is that the government needs to put some measures in place so tht when we reopen there will not be hiccups. We know how lawless we are. We know how lawless and excited we can get so if the protocols have been slacking then I’m almost sure that we will not reopen come September ,
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