The Ministry and Department of Education is providing an update on the Saliva Screening Programme and reminds parents and guardians that all public schools are continuing with remote learning until further notice.
The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, shared, “As we have repeatedly expressed, our goal is to return to in-person learning as quickly as possible and we will return to in-person learning once it is safe to do so and the data supports it.”
“Each school will be assessed individually, and the data that we are looking at includes the percentage of students consenting for the Saliva Screening Programme, coronavirus testing results, and staffing availability.”
“On Sunday, we highlighted that we will look at schools with the highest percentage of student consent for the Saliva Screening Programme and prioritise getting the students at these schools scheduled for testing first.”
“We are encouraged by the increase in parents and guardians providing consent for the Saliva Screening Programme. We also will continue to encourage parents and guardians who have not yet provided consent to do so as we work together to have all of our schools return to in-person learning.”
Minister Rabain added, “Each Public School has been provided with the statistics on the number of students with consent at their school. Each school has reached out individually to parents and guardians who have not given consent to encourage them to consent.”
The latest statistics as of September 20th on consent by school is as follows:
|
Special Schools |
|
|
Success Academy Robert's Avenue |
50% |
|
Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy |
41% |
|
Middle Schools |
|
|
Clearwater |
44% |
|
Dellwood |
72% |
|
Sandys |
60% |
|
Whitney Institute |
73% |
|
Pre-Schools |
|
|
Devonshire |
41% |
|
Lagoon Park |
83% |
|
Lyceum |
63% |
|
St. Pauls |
75% |
|
Prospect |
75% |
|
Southampton |
94% |
|
St. David’s |
38% |
|
St. George’s |
60% |
|
Victor Scott |
53% |
|
Warwick |
55% |
|
Senior Schools |
|
|
CedarBridge Academy |
59% |
|
The Berkeley Institute |
60% |
|
Primary Schools |
|
|
East End |
81% |
|
Dalton E. Tucker |
59% |
|
Elliot |
82% |
|
Francis Patton |
66% |
|
Gilbert Institute |
71% |
|
Harrington Sound |
61% |
|
Heron Bay |
51% |
|
Northlands |
67% |
|
Paget |
61% |
|
Port Royal |
79% |
|
Prospect |
81% |
|
Purvis |
87% |
|
Somerset Primary |
59% |
|
Sr. David’s |
47% |
|
St. George’s Prep |
42% |
|
Victor Scott |
66% |
|
West End |
52% |
|
West Pembroke |
82% |
Minister Rabain concluded, “We will provide statistical updates to our schools regularly so that we can continue to work together to increase consent.”
“As a reminder, Saliva Screening is an additional layer of protection that is complemented by mask-wearing, hand sanitising, physical distancing, and proper ventilation.”
“While Bermuda continues to feel the effects of this pandemic, it is critical for all of us to play our respective roles. Our children’s educational needs are being hampered by our inability to adhere to COVID protocols and that is not fair to them. It is time for all of us to be responsible and do what we can to protect ourselves and our children’s education.”
“Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Please follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda App.”