Uniform crisis keeps several students at home
Published:Tuesday | January 4, 2022 | 12:10 AMGareth Davis Sr/Gleaner Writer
Having been out of school for almost two years, last week’s late notification that face-to-face lessons would have resumed on Monday resulted in several students in Portland missing the first day of the Easter term as dressmakers were not able to stitch uniforms in time for them to report for classes.
Windsor Primary School Principal Natalie Burke told The Gleaner that many families were not prepared to have their children return to the classroom, a fact borne out in yesterday’s attendance rate of roughly 50 per cent.
“During the height of the pandemic, when we were only able to accommodate a limited number of students, they were allowed to wear clothes of their choice, but now that face-to-face classes have resumed, students are expected to be dressed in their uniforms,” Burke explained.
“So we have a situation where the complaints or explanation is that the dressmaker was unable to complete uniforms on time,” she told The Gleaner, adding that she is expecting the full complement to turn out by the end of the week.
“We have been following the directives issued by the Ministry of Education, so we were prepared and raring to go from the minute it was announced that face-to-face classes would resume. We have our sanitising equipment in place and we are observing the basic protocols set by the Ministry of Health,” Burke said, noting that the students, parents and teachers were excited to go back into the physical space.
Port Maria Primary School in neighbouring St Mary also reopened its doors yesterday, while Carron Hall High in the parish is aiming to kick of its return to face-to-face classes next Monday.
The Titchfield and Port Antonio high schools in St Thomas are also set to reopen their doors on Monday, January 10, although classes have started online.