A majority of the justices have cast doubt on a Maine program that covers the cost of private education in areas without public schools but bars use of the funds at institutions that promote religion. Justice Brett Kavanaugh said two families challenging the exclusion of religious schools “are seeking equal treatment, not special treatment.” Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice […]
Following a three-day strike called by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to protest the lockout or removal of teachers from schools because they are not vaccinated or do not have a negative COVID test. The government has said that teachers who supported the strike action will not be paid. According to press reports, the GTU General Secretary, Coretta Mc Donald, […]
Children in Barbados between the ages of 12 and 18 years old began receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw said the vaccine will be available at seven sites. Miss Bradshaw said the government made the decision to inoculate pre-teens and teens following consultations with stakeholders. She also acknowledged that not everyone would want to […]
PAHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne said this approach should take into consideration the local epidemiological situation, which can change rapidly. Dr. Etienne said before reopening schools, countries must ensure institutions can maintain COVID-19 prevention and infection control measures, including physical distancing, hand hygiene, and mask-wearing. She noted that PAHO has developed guidelines for reopening schools and is working with member […]
The coronavirus pandemic has taken an enormous toll on the learning process among primary school-aged children. According to World Bank reports, the forced school closures have resulted in over 72 million primary school-aged children, including those from the Caribbean, into learning poverty. This new scenario means that children will not be able to read and understand an uncomplicated text by […]
The increase in COVID-19 cases has forced the Jamaican government to delay the reopening of schools on the island. Schools are now set to reopen on a phased basis starting Monday, October 5, 2020. According to the Ministry of Education, school re-engagement will be based on a blended approach, which includes: Face-to-Face teaching and learning, online and offline Computer Aided […]
Jamaica’s Government is set to spend $567.18 million to carry out infrastructural projects within schools for the 2020/21 period. This move follows a 60 percent reduction from the initial allocation of $1.42 billion allocated in the 2020/21 Budget for the Ministry’s capital projects. The drastic cut in budgetary allocation is attributed to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Minister […]
Historian and Director of the Centre for Reparation Research at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Professor Verene Shepherd, has called for the teaching of history to be made compulsory in school. Professor Shepherd posited the view as Jamaica seeks to mark 182 years since Emancipation on August 1. “We must teach the children the truth and to […]
South Africa has been forced to close its public schools again for a month from Monday following the recent surge of the novel coronavirus in the country, said President Cyril Ramaphosa. The country has witnessed 408,052 people infected by the disease, the fifth highest in the world, and the death of more than 6,000 people. Rising infections have caused concern […]
Bahamas’ Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands has recently announced that his government will be acting to ban all sugary drinks from all government healthcare facilities and public schools. He said the ban will become effective on December 1, 2019. Dr. Sands lamented the fact the ban did not come sooner as the country is becoming more and more unhealthy. […]
