The impact of Covid-19 over the whole world has been hard but particularly hard for our children. It is apparent to all this is a virus that is not going away and we all have to adjust to our new 'normal'.

What does that new normal look like to the children of Turks and Caicos?

What it shouldn't look like is online learning!

While the rest of the Island returns to normal (albeit with Covid screening and hygiene protocols in place) the children are forced to return to online learning. It is apparent to parents, teachers and children this is not an effective or meaningful way of learning for the vast majority of pupils. Our children's well being and education is suffering both in the short and long term.

We must also take into consideration the impact on parents/families, teachers, employers, the larger community and businesses. By forcing parents to take leave in order to accommodate online learning (if they can in fact afford to do so) it has a knock on effect to all. As a result loss of income, loss of employees, mental health issues, child neglect, closure of businesses, increase in illiteracy, hunger/starvation.... the list goes on.

While we understand TCI needs to protect the health of all we would remind you that that the schools have successfully put into practice and demonstrated the ability to enforce Covid protocols with temperature checks and hand sanitation stations. In previous months there has not been a correlation in cases and the children returning to school.

Also while we know some children are considered high risk for Covid due to underlying health issues that the majority of children are not. Research has shown that it has little or no symptoms in children.

We implore any and all parents, teachers, business owners to take the time to consider that online learning is not a long term solution for our children and that TCI Government should be looking at other means to curb the spread of this virus.

As is the mantra in other countries:

Closing of schools should be the last resort not the first choice.