CAUGHT OFF GUARD

Like many other parents and guardians, last week's announcement that schools across the island would reopen today for face-to-face classes has surprised Diedrie Gordon, an unemployed sole caregiver of two granddaughters living in Dumfries, St James.

Given the rise in new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases as of late, the parents said they believed that the Government would have allowed online classes to continue and the sudden notice has left them unprepared, yet to even purchase uniforms and books for the children.

“I never planned to send my grandchildren out ... . I thought online classes would have continued,” Gordon told The Gleaner late last week. “One of my granddaughters is a student at St Jude's Primary School in Kingston, but I have kept her in St James to ensure that she logs into classes given that her mother goes to work and there is no one to keep her and ensure that she goes to school online.”

She continued: “Now, with this sudden pop up for face-to-face classes to resume, I am expected to just put her on a bus this weekend and send her back to Kingston for face-to-face classes on Monday. Also, mi nuh buy no shoes for her and other stuff because what sense it made buying the shoes and she never wore it to school last school term?”

The grandmother added that she had spent most of her money putting food on the table for Christmas and treating the six-year-old and 11-year-old during the festive season.

Although she may be able to find funds to send the girls to school for the first week, Gordon, who is a lupus patient, is fearful that they could contract COVID-19 when they venture out.

“Honestly, ... the Omicron has put more fear within me, knowing the children have to go back to school,” she said. “I'm not happy. Knowing I have an underlying illness, it really concerns me. I am more high risk than anyone else in my house.”

Jayson Downer, who has a 13-year-old daughter attending St Hugh's High School in St Andrew, had mixed views about the planned reopening.

“I haven't gotten the go-ahead,” he said yesterday. “My daughter is in first form, … so even though back to school has been given, it is not guaranteed that lower school will be in on that,” he shared, adding that he was, nevertheless, preparing in anticipation for classes to resume.

He is also concerned about the spike in COVID-19 cases, adding that the financial blow dealt by the pandemic is also a concern as prices for school supplies have been increasing.

Downer also expressed reservations about whether schools are prepared to meet challenges with students' mental health.

“I am concerned that the schools are lacking the human resources to deal with the psychological effects on the children. I am not so sure that the guidance counsel department is equipped … . That is my biggest concern,” he said.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com