NASSAU, The Bahamas – All hands were on deck at Eva Hilton Primary School, Tuesday, for the first day of ‘in-person learning’ using the hybrid method. Representatives of Urban Renewal, the Parent-Teacher Association, the School Board, teachers and administrators assisted with the transition as students returned to the Gregory Street campus.

“For the first day we were able to get through quite smoothly,” said Principal Jermaine Butler. 

“The kids have been prepped at home and in sessions, and they know what the expectations should be.” 

February 23, 2021 marked the first day that students at public schools in New Providence, Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco attended classes in person. The Ministry of Education closed its doors on Monday, March 16th, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hand sanitation stations, including automatic and soap dispensers at strategic locations, desks spread out to maximize space between students, signage, markings on the ground with instructions, plexiglass barriers at teacher’s desks, are some of the precautionary measures in place.

“We are thankful for the fact that the PTA and school board assisted us. We have put together registers. The kids are coming in blended [system] which means a group of kids comes in Monday/Wednesday, the other group comes in Tuesday/Thursday. We check the register at the gate. If the child is on the register, the child’s temperature is taken, the child is sanitized and then ushered to particular rooms to receive instruction,” said Mr. Butler.

“On Friday we are trying to capture children who may have problems with technology and were not able to get on the platforms. We are trying to get them back in gear and fill in the gaps for what they would have missed.”

With 300 students on the campus today for the first time, Mr. Butler noted the challenge of getting them to their proper rooms. “We know that by Wednesday they would know where to go and that transition would be a little smoother,” he added. 

BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna