The Minister for Education Mr Filipe Bole has decided that as from next week school hours will begin an hour after the normal starting time.
That means school will begin at 9:000am and not 8:00am. The change in school hours will come into effect on Monday 22nd of February.
This is because children and parents have to prepare for school during the dark hours of the morning, especially for those in the interior of the mainland. As such, students are at risk as they travel to school under near dark conditions.
The decision came about after the Minister held discussions with his Permanent Secretary Mr Filipe Jitoko.
Senior education officials have been instructed by the Permanent Secretary to immediately inform their respective schools about this change. The Ministry has already advised the Land Transport Authority (LTA) over this decision.
School heads and management are requested to advise bus companies and parents about this change in school timetable. As for teachers, like all other civil servants, they are expected to be at school at 8:00am.
Schools will be advised in due course of any change in school time.
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture & Arts, Youth & Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment,
Mr Filipe Bole