Children were being sent home shortly after 8am
Sandys Secondary Middle School (Facebook, 2021)
9:38am: Sandys Secondary Middle School students were left in limbo this morning as members of staff took industrial action. Parents could be seen returning to collect their children from the front of the school. The reason for the strike is unclear at this time. Bermuda Broadcasting has reached out to a Ministry of Education spokesperson for comment.
10:49am: It is understood that the Sandys Secondary Middle School board issued a statement to parents explaining that the school had to be closed due to staff shortages.
1:45pm: An update has been released by the Ministry of Education:
“The Ministry of Education is aware of the teacher shortage at Sandy Secondary Middle School today. This morning, the Acting Minister, Crystal Caesar, JP, MP, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Kalmar Richards, met with the Board to discuss the abrupt school closure.”
“The Acting Minister and Acting Permanent Secretary are working with the Principal, Sandy’s School Board and the Bermuda Union of Teachers to address and resolve staff concerns. The Ministry sincerely apologises to the parents, guardians and students for today’s unscheduled closure. The Board and Principal will notify parents when classes will resume this evening. Any further public statements will be issued after parents and students have been notified.”
7:45pm: The Ministry of Education and Board of Governors has advised that Sandys Secondary Middle School will open as usual tomorrow, 23 January 2025. To facilitate meetings with the teachers, the Board of Governors and the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the school will close one hour earlier at 2:30 pm.
Arrangements have been made for the school buses to collect students at 2:30 pm.
The school administration will notify parents and students this evening of the earlier closing tomorrow.
The Ministry and Board of Governors take this opportunity to extend appreciation to parents and students for their patience.
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