School Re-Opening Plans Revealed - Two Year Groups Return On 26th May
The Minister of Education Gilbert Licudi today revealed details of how and when schools in Gibraltar will re-open. This is in advance of the publication of the Government’s “Unlock the Rock” document which is set to appear next week.
All schools in Gibraltar will reopen “in a limited way” on Tuesday 26 May, the day after the late spring bank holiday.
For the next three weeks, however, there will be no change in the current arrangements involving Notre Dame, St Anne’s and Westside, except that weekend supervision will cease on Sunday 17 May. Extended hours supervision and the crèche facility will end on Friday 22 May.
The Department of Education will be taking the following steps between now and the end of term on the 7th July:
PRIMARY
As from 26th May, in the lower primary sector, year 2 will be brought back and, in the upper primary sector year 6 will also return to school.
They will be split in two with half attending for two hours in the morning and the other half for two hours in the afternoon.
The reason why these years will be the first to return is that both year groups will be moving to a new school in September and transition work needs to be completed with these pupils during this term in order to prepare them for the move.
SECONDARY
The Government’s plan is to also bring one year group back to Bayside and Westside.
However, this is subject to announcements in the UK which may happen this Sunday on the easing of restrictions and possibly on the reopening of schools.
Minister Licudi said: “We expect to be in a position to take a decision as to which year group or groups will be the first to start in our secondary schools by next week.”
AFTER THREE WEEKS - 16th JUNE
After this first step is taken on 26th May, the Government will wait another three weeks before taking the next step.
That second step will coincide with the start of half days on Tuesday 16th June.
The second step will involve all children (from years 2 and 6) who have been attending in the morning or the afternoon attending instead in the morning.
The Government says it will also consider nearer the time whether any other year groups will be brought back as part of the second step.
The Minister added that most children will remain at home where they will continue to be supported by the Department’s home learning programme.
ALL SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE FACILITIES
The schools will also be available to children of other years who meet the criteria for childcare supervision facilities.
The main change affecting this service is that from the 26th May children will go back to their own schools if they require supervision facilities.
This is available for children whose parents need to work and who cannot make alternative childcare supervision facilities without involving relatives over the age of 70.
Any parents who wish to use this service should fill in the form that is available at www.education.gov.gi. The form must be filled in by the Thursday of the week before, at the latest.
Most schools were closed on the 24th March, as part of a series of measures designed to protect the community from the coronavirus. Since then, Notre Dame, St Anne’s and Westside have since been operating as childcare supervision facilities and St Martin’s has also been open.
