Minister Faber confirms school closures on COVID-19

By Aaron Humes: School will close at the end of the day on Friday, March 20, Education Minister Patrick Faber announced.

This means classes continue as normal until then.

Classes remain closed through the Easter break and pending any changes, classes would resume on April 20.

Teachers will not be required to attend schools except in conjunction with school managements and not applying to public servants.

The closure applies to both public and private schools at all levels, up to university (both Galen and the University of Belize).

But students will not be idle, Faber warned, as “home-based learning” will be taking place; no child will be made to go to school sites even in small groups.

The usual take-home assignments provided for Easter and Christmas break are on the menu.

Parents are asked to ensure their children adhere to the school assignments provided and find other sources.

But formal online learning will be approved provided all students have access, otherwise not, and classes are not expected to take the typical school day.

Primary School Examination (PSE) is suspended for the first time in it’s history, and the Caribbean Examination Council is presently considering adjustments to the examination period, though Faber says Belize is somewhat behind in terms of the CSEC/CAPE exams.

Children on national school meal programs will get take-home hampers and high schools are encouraged to do same. The Minister says it will be difficult to determine how time will be made up but reiterated the national oversight committee’s insistence that this is not a ‘vacation’ period.

Offices of MOE and District Education Centers remain open and their contact numbers will be made available for questions.

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