The Elmore Stoutt High School will be the only school in the territory that will be utlising a half day shift system come September 6 when teaching recommences in the BVI.
Education Minister Dr. Natalio Wheatley made the announcement during a live media briefing on Tuesday as he updated the territory on the reopening of schools.
According to the minister the shift system will be used to ensure all students experience the physical school environment.
“All students of the Elmore Stoutt High School will attend classes utilizing a half day shift system. Students on the a.m. shift will begin at 8:00 a.m. and students on the p.m. session will begin at 12:30,” he stated.
“The decision to have a shift system is to ensure that all students have an opportunity to experience the school environment. My daughter, who was just promoted from 7th grade, never met her classmates and never spent a day on campus. She did her entire 7th grade online. This shift will allow her and all other students to have some time on campus,” he further explained.
Dr. Wheatley said all other secondary schools besides Elmore Stoutt High School will have a full day of classes.
ESHS project to be completed by early 2022
The education minister also revealed positive developments for the completion of the Elmore Stoutt High School, with plans to have the entire project completed by early 2022.
He said, “For Elmore Stoutt High School, there is good news. All the furniture procured through the Caribbean Development Bank 65-million-dollar loan have been completed and is expected to arrive prior to the beginning of school. This will allow more students to be accommodated in our classrooms.”
He added, “There is more good news. The Premier and Minister of Finance has agreed to finance the construction of additional school buildings on the Elmore Stoutt High School Campus to accommodate our senior school students presently housed at Pasea Estate, and our growing population of Junior School students. The Recovery and Development Agency is managing this project, and it is expected to be completed early in 2022.”
HLSCC to commence classes from Aug 25
Meanwhile, Dr. Wheatley also updated residents on the dates for commencement of classes at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College, which he said will begin from August 25.
He said new student orientation and registration will take place from August 10 to 11 and returning students will be allowed to register between August 16 to 23, with August 31 being the last day to add classes.
“All courses which do not require face-to-face delivery will be offered online in the first instance for a period of 4 – 6 weeks, subject to review at the midpoint. All courses requiring face-to-face delivery will be offered but with restrictions on the numbers per session, and the possible increase of sessions to accommodate additional demand,” Dr. Wheatley stated.
“Academic support services will be delivered mainly virtually, with on-campus access strictly by appointment only,” he added.
Persons with inquiries can contact HLSCC at 494-4994 for more information.