School principals warned over mask mandate

With the government easing restrictions on face-to-face learning some school administrators have imposed strict mandate on masks wearing. While this is understandable and accepted generally as the world continues to grapple with containing the spread of the coronavirus, the education ministry has seen the need to intervene in how the wearing of masks rule should apply in schools.

Some schools, Old Harbour News understands have issued its own rule in this regard stating that only masks bearing the school’s colour and insignia should be worn by its students.

The ministry did not identify the schools that have this rule in place nor was Old Harbour News able to ascertain just yet any evidentiary proof of the institutions doing so.
Nonetheless the ministry through its Acting Chief Education Officer Dr Kasan Troupe caution against the manner in which this edict is being applied.

The full statement read: “The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has been made aware that school administrators have procured masks bearing the school’s logo/crest for resale. While we anticipate that this may be for the purpose of uniformity, school boards/administrators are being advised that the procurement and wearing of school branded masks should not be made mandatory. Masks are not a part of the formal uniform in public educational institutions and re only now required as part of the infection, prevention and control measures to curb the transmission of the coronavirus.

“Schools administrators are not to limit the colour of masks and should allow the use of surgical masks irrespective of the colour. The ministry however, supports coordinated efforts to prevent the wearing of masks with discriminatory, unlawful or profane language and images. Efforts should also be made to train the students to wear the mask appropriately, ensuring that both the nose and the mouth are covered. Mask break opportunities should be created, where students are organized to occupy a designated open space/area in small groups, standing or seated at least six feet apart, under supervision.

“School administrators are being reminded that we are in a pandemic that has imposed extreme emotional, psychological, economical among other personal challenges on our students and their families. As such, we request that decisions are taken to ease the burden on our students and parents as we all try to cope with the worst disruption the country has been faced with since its independence.”