Christ Church Foundation School Classes Delayed Due to Structural Concerns, Online Learning Implemented

Students of the Christ Church Foundation School will have to wait a little bit longer for teaching in the physical classroom to start.

That’s because the Ministry of Education has decided to delay the start of classes at the Church Hill, Christ Church institution for a week.

Classes across the country are set to begin in earnest for the first term of the new academic school year from today.

In a media statement released yesterday, the ministry revealed that online classes will be the order of the day this week, starting tomorrow.

Odour

“In preparation for the opening of school, officials from the Ministry of Education invited members of the teachers’ unions to conduct a walk-through of the Christ Church Foundation School. It was during that walkthrough that a distinct odour of adhesives and other chemical agents were detected,” the ministry said yesterday.

It added there were other concerns about the state of readiness for the occupation of teachers and students that led to the ministry convening a meeting with members of its management team, the teachers’ unions, members of the school’s board of management, the principal and the contractors assigned to the job.

“Of particular concern was the readiness of the physics lab, the staff rooms and certain specialist rooms that require certain finishes and the subsequent industrial cleaning.

“While this is not the ideal situation, the primary concern was for the health and comfort of all students, teachers and staff members. It was therefore unanimously agreed that the opening of the school be delayed until September 23, 2024.

“In the interim, plans are in place to facilitate online teaching from Tuesday, September 17 to mitigate any learning loss,” the ministry added.

Expanded

The statement noted that during the meeting of stakeholders, it was revealed that the original scope of work, as approved by the board of management, had to be expanded due to unforeseen structural challenges, and the assigned contractor advised that additional time be allowed for those necessary works to be completed to the satisfaction of all parties.

It said that members of the board of management acknowledged the need for the expanded scope of work and continues to work alongside the contractors to meet the revised deadline.

Attention

“By the conclusion of the meeting, all stakeholders agreed on the way forward to facilitate the completion of work to the satisfaction of all parties. Despite the delay in opening, the chairman shared the sentiments of the teachers who expressed gratitude that their spaces are getting the necessary attention, and she indicated that they are prepared to make the necessary teaching adjustments this week, so that they can return to much more favourable conditions,” the statement added.

In a press briefing last week, Minister of Education Kay McConney announced that remedial and maintenance works on school plants would now become a year-round activity, to alleviate the tremendous pressure of preparing all Government schools only during summer vacation. This yearround maintenance allows for greater responsiveness by the ministry and alleviates certain risks impacting the readiness of schools after extended breaks, she said. (BA/PR)