Students in Barbados will start returning to face to face classes from Monday.

The announcement was made this afternoon by Minister of Education, Kay MCConney who noted the concerns from various groups, some of whom asked for a further delay.

She stated that the transition back to school may not be perfect but has to proceed given the huge amount of learning time lost by students, especially those preparing for exams.

Chief education officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw said specific measures will be put in place including random testing.

Those returning to school in the first of the two phases will be the youngest such as nursery and infants who are deemed to need the most teacher assistance, as well as class four students preparing to go on to secondary school, secondary school first formers, fourth, fifth and sixth formers and special needs children.

School will generally end at 2pm.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, says Barbados received input and approval on the decisions from international health and children’s agencies and local children’s doctors.

He is convinced it’s safe for students to return to school.

But Dr. George stresses that children or teachers must not come to school if they are feeling ill. He believes that would pose the greatest risk.