PTAs to assist with control of nursery school children – ACEO Williams

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PLANS seeking Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs)
backing when schools reopen next Monday after the 17-month long closure due to the global
coronavirus pandemic.
“PTAs can utilise vaccinated parents to assist with the monitoring and supervision of children
while teachers of course are expected to provide regular feedback sessions with parents so that
they can feel supported and receive the necessary guidance while they are at home,” Assistant
Chief Education Officer (Nursery) Ms. Samantha Williams said.
Williams said, “parents, you are encouraged to take your children to school on days when they
are scheduled to do so and to adhere to the strict pick up and drop off times that the schools will
enforce. This is very necessary in order for us to avoid a high number of contaminations,” from
the highly-contagious and lethal disease, Williams cautioned.
The ACEO explained how the new process is planned to work following schools’ reopening.
“Parents you are also encouraged to ensure that your children take their home-based learning
package to school every day that they are scheduled to be there as we do not want them to be
sharing the resources that they have on a regular basis at school. You are (also) encouraged to
ensure that you attend the weekly feedback sessions with teachers as we are rolling out a plan
that is heavily dependent on parent/school partnership.”
In addition, “our nursery babies are only going to be at school for a minimum of four hours per
week, therefore, parents have to attend these sessions so that the teachers can guide you on what
you can do when your children are with you. Parents are encouraged to talk to your children
about going to school. They would need to transition and transition well,” Williams explained.
She continued, “You also need to talk to them about the importance of wearing a mask, you also
have to encourage them not to borrow or touch. Now is the time to get our children to return to a

regular sleep routine. We know that during the pandemic, our children have been going to bed at
different times. But now, we need to get them to return to regular sleep routines.”
“Parents you are also to ensure that your children can independently access their snacks
containers, water and juice battles. I am imploring you to keep it simple; keep it basic, so that
your children can independently open those containers. We want to avoid a high level of
contamination,” ACEO Williams implored.
“If your children are sick leave them at home. Do not bring them if they have a fever (or) runny
nose. You know the things that you need to look for. Talk to your children everyday about the
things they can do to remain safe while they are in school,” she said.
“If parents, head teachers and teachers work together, we can continue to deliver quality
nursery education to our nation’s children,” in a safe and healthy environment, Williams
assured.