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Open all public schools for face-to-face classes, Wright urges gov't

Linvern Wright and Dr. Angela Brown Burke
 
Linvern Wright, President of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, says all public schools should open to students next month with staggered days for larger populations.
 
Mr. Wright says he is not in agreement with some students having to continue online classes. 
 
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that select schools approved for face-to-face classes will reopen on November 8. 
 
These will include infant and basic schools; 376 of 759 primary schools (mostly in remote areas); students in grades 11 to 13 sitting external exams; and high schools where at least 65 per cent of the student population have been vaccinated. 
 
Speaking on Wednesday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, Mr. Wright said while the progress is good, he is concerned about equity in the treatment of public schools as against businesses, including preparatory schools, which have been allowed to operate. 
 
"Many of these decisions are more economic...We're saving businesses. What we are not doing, in my mind, is that we're not saving our children, because I believe that human capital, our children, we're not seeing them in that regard. And I'm saying, if health is the concern, everybody needs to take the beating, and if health is not the concern and we say everybody shouldn't take any beating then everybody should have a chance," he declared. 
 
Although high schools that have attained a 65 per cent vaccination rate can reopen for face-to-face classes, only vaccinated students will be allowed to attend classes in person.   
 
But Mr. Wright argued that public school administrators are capable of successfully managing all students, vaccinated or unvaccinated, while observing health protocols. 
 
"I think we can be careful in giving every child a chance. And it doesn't have to be that all of them come in for the whole week. Grade 7 can come in on Mondays and if they don't come in until two weeks time, it's fine because what you really want is some kind of contact so they understand that they are still in contact with what is happening in school," he proposed. 
 
Opposition spokesperson on Education Dr. Angela Brown Burke, who has been calling for the resumption of face-to-face classes, has welcomed Tuesday's announcements by the Prime Minister.
 
However, she shared similar concerns about the fact that some students would still have to continue virtual lessons. 
 
 
 


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