Several schools are set to reopen their classrooms to pupils today, but most of the island’s middle schools and senior schools will stay shut.

The Department of Education said Victor Scott Preschool would resume classes today, which left St David’s Preschool the only closed preschool.

West Pembroke Primary, Port Royal Primary, Harrington Sound Primary and Northlands Primary are also scheduled to open.

But St David’s Primary, Elliot Primary, Prospect Primary, Paget Primary, Purvis Primary and Heron Bay Primary will only be open for specific classes.

Clearwater Middle School and the Success Academy Robert’s Avenue will be open for all classes and Whitney Institute will be open for specific classes.

But Dellwood Middle School, Sandys Secondary, the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, CedarBridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute will remain closed.

Tinee Furbert, the acting education minister, said the Government wanted to keep pupils and staff safe.

She added: “Through the delivery of the pre-return testing policy and the diligent application of other mitigation measures by schools, we are almost there.

“While the Department of Education has worked hard to keep the public updated with return-to-school protocols, we acknowledge that this has been difficult for many staff and parents.”

She told the public and school staff: “We appreciate your co-operation as we work together to ensure our students are safe and prepared for in-class learning as schools reopen."

An education spokeswoman said that the decision to reopen schools was based on a range of factors, including public health advice, the number of Covid-19 cases detected at each and the “strong interest for in-person student learning and wellbeing”.

She added: “Remote learning is only considered after other options have been exhausted due to the implications on students, parents and staff.”