Confusion over school closures hits parents and teachers

Government authorities were accused of causing confusion among parents and teachers Wednesday by issuing conflicting messages over school closures due to the bad weather.

At 4:24pm on Tuesday afternoon, the Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services announced that all government schools and the University College of the Cayman Islands were to reopen on Wednesday, following the discontinuation of the Tropical Storm Warning for Grand Cayman and consultations with Hazard Management Cayman Islands.

The following morning though, at 6:38am, the ministry and department announced that schools would instead remain closed all day Wednesday.

The late timing of the announcement meant that many parents and teachers had already left home to battle with strong winds, heavy rain and widespread flooding on the way to school, or were given little notice to make alternative arrangements regarding childcare.

One teacher told the Cayman Compass, “By the time I drove home, only five minutes after arriving at school, it was clear it would be unsafe for anyone having to travel any distance. Unfortunately, many other staff, parents and also our students that drive had already made it into school from the eastern districts, Lower Valley and beyond Countryside, only to have to turn immediately around and battle through the storm conditions to get home.”

Another teacher who had also fought with terrible conditions to get into school on Wednesday morning said, “As we were told that the schools were opening, then you come in, come hell or high water, even if it’s not safe, which is really alarming.”

She added, “I don’t know why they decided to say so early on Tuesday that the schools were definitely going to open, instead of saying that they were going to wait and see, which would have been understandable as the weather was changing so quickly. They also could have issued their announcement much earlier on Wednesday morning, as it was obvious by 5am that the conditions were treacherous. Saying that schools were closed at 6:30 in the morning is far too late for many people.”

It wasn’t just teaching staff and students who were caught out by the late announcement. Clifton Hunter High posted an announcement on social media saying, “Due to the late notice, the canteen had already begun preparing breakfast,” and saying people could stop by the admin office to collect egg sandwiches, scrambled eggs, hash browns and porridge.

Schools across the Cayman Islands have been closed since Monday due to Tropical Storm Helene, now a hurricane, with the initial decision being taken by the Ministry of Education on Sunday evening. The decision to close the schools on Tuesday was taken on Monday afternoon and weather conditions continued to deteriorate on Tuesday morning.

However, the decision to announce that schools were to open on Wednesday morning by mid-afternoon on Tuesday raised eyebrows, as the weather system was still developing.

John Gray High School was speedier off the mark than official government channels in announcing Wednesday’s closures. Principal Jonathan Clark told Cayman Compass that he and his team were in touch with government early that morning and it was clear that the weather hadn’t improved as forecast.

“I was at school at 5am and you could immediately see that we had 30-40mph winds, the road conditions were very, very poor and it was going to be an issue,” he said.

Declining to comment on whether the decision could have been made earlier, Clark said, “I’m not privileged with the information that they have at the highest level, but I think when they made the decision that schools were reopening, things looked better. To a certain extent, you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t – it’s hard. But you always win if you place the safety of children first.

“If the weather improves then great, but you don’t ever want to be in a situation where they’re put at risk. It’s not an easy call to make,” he added.

“Obviously there’s pressure to open schools but at the same time, there’s always greater pressure to keep the students safe.”  

He continued, “Even yesterday, once the decision to reopen schools was made, the next moment a huge squall came through George Town and then the sun came out. There’s nothing you can do about it. They have to make a decision at a high level and we have to act and operate as soon as we can. We have to be able to react quickly on this island.”

Earlier this year, government had come under fire for not closing the schools during poor weather, which led to the regiment being called in to help school children with the afternoon school drop off.

With at least three teaching days lost this week due to Helene, government schools are likely to have to make up the time later on in the school year. The school calendar has ‘contingency days’ built into it in case of forced closures, like those due to poor weather, so that schools can met their teaching obligations over the year.

Schools are set to open on Thursday as normal, the ministry announced on Wednesday evening, following consultations with the National Weather Service.

Due to the likelihood of continued flooding in some areas, special precautions are being implemented to ensure student safety during pick up and drop off. Parents and guardians are encouraged to be present at drop-off points when possible to ensure their children’s safe arrival.