Government Predicts Phased Roll Out of Schools

The Government is making the necessary preparations for the 2021 resumption of face-to-face learning, the current mediums established will remain as the norm. However, one opposition spokesman says taxes placed on learning devices should be removed as these devices are second to unaffordable.

While speaking at a virtual town hall Thursday, August 12, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says students will be able to return to school for the new academic year. However, he notes, the existing modalities will be used.

Mr. Holness says the Government is working to have a full resumption of face-to-face learning. He explains that schools will reopen using various modalities including online classes, however he says the Government is still working towards face-to-face learning in the second half of September.

In the meantime, Opposition Spokesman on Finance and Planning Julian Robinson notes he had proposed to the Government in 2020 to have taxes on tablets removed, seeing that students will now have to do another school year in a pandemic. This as Robinson says the prices are not conducive given the possibility students may not return for face-to-face learning for some time and noted that with 600, 000 students in Jamaican school system more needs to be done.

More in this CVM Live story from Javine Mclean: