Ministry and Department of Education Saliva Screening Programme Update

The Ministry and Department of Education is providing an update on the Saliva Screening Programme and reminds parents and guardians that all public schools are continuing with remote learning until further notice.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, shared, “As we have repeatedly expressed, our goal is to return to in-person learning as quickly as possible and we will return to in-person learning once it is safe to do so and the data supports it.”

“Each school will be assessed individually, and the data that we are looking at includes the percentage of students consenting for the Saliva Screening Programme, coronavirus testing results, and staffing availability.”

“On Sunday, we highlighted that we will look at schools with the highest percentage of student consent for the Saliva Screening Programme and prioritise getting the students at these schools scheduled for testing first.”

“We are encouraged by the increase in parents and guardians providing consent for the Saliva Screening Programme. We also will continue to encourage parents and guardians who have not yet provided consent to do so as we work together to have all of our schools return to in-person learning.”

Minister Rabain added, “Each Public School has been provided with the statistics on the number of students with consent at their school. Each school has reached out individually to parents and guardians who have not given consent to encourage them to consent.”

The latest statistics as of September 20th on consent by school is as follows:

Special Schools

Success Academy Robert’s Avenue 50%
Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy 41%

Middle Schools

Clearwater 44%
Dellwood 72%
Sandys 60%
Whitney Institute 73%
Pre-Schools
Devonshire 41%
Lagoon Park 83%
Lyceum 63%
St. Pauls 75%
Prospect 75%
Southampton 94%
St. David’s 38%
St. George’s 60%
Victor Scott 53%
Warwick 55%

Senior Schools

CedarBridge Academy 59%
The Berkeley Institute 60%

Primary Schools

East End 81%
Dalton E. Tucker 59%
Elliot 82%
Francis Patton 66%
Gilbert Institute 71%
Harrington Sound 61%
Heron Bay 51%
Northlands 67%
Paget 61%
Port Royal 79%
Prospect 81%
Purvis 87%
Somerset Primary 59%
Sr. David’s 47%
St. George’s Prep 42%
Victor Scott 66%
West End 52%
West Pembroke 82%

Minister Rabain concluded, “We will provide statistical updates to our schools regularly so that we can continue to work together to increase consent.”

“As a reminder, Saliva Screening is an additional layer of protection that is complemented by mask-wearing, hand sanitising, physical distancing, and proper ventilation.”

“While Bermuda continues to feel the effects of this pandemic, it is critical for all of us to play our respective roles. Our children’s educational needs are being hampered by our inability to adhere to COVID protocols and that is not fair to them. It is time for all of us to be responsible and do what we can to protect ourselves and our children’s education.”

“Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Please follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda App.”
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