Education Ministry Addresses School Closure Hoax, Ensures
The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports has reiterated that schools across the Virgin Islands will continue as usual, debunking a false notice of closure circulating on social media. This announcement comes after rumors prompted confusion within the community, with the Ministry condemning the falsification and unnecessary disruption caused.
In a decisive move to maintain clarity and prevent misinformation, the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports has once again confirmed that all schools in the Virgin Islands will remain open, operating as per the usual schedule. This statement comes in the aftermath of a misleading message suggesting an unexpected shutdown of educational institutions, which was widely circulated on social media platforms, particularly by Rams Media Group on Facebook, targeting principals at the Elmore Stoutt High School.
The origin of these rumors was promptly addressed by the Ministry, clarifying that the misleading alert did not emanate from their office nor was it endorsed by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM). The Ministry emphasized, "The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has not issued any advisory to close schools, and the Ministry of Education has not authorized any such communication." This clarification aims to quash the baseless rumors and ensure the community remains informed through reliable channels.
Further condemning the actions behind the false notifications, the Ministry stated, "Such falsification and circulation of official documents is both inappropriate and misleading, causing unnecessary confusion and disruption within the community." The public is urged to disregard this false notice and rely solely on official statements issued directly from the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports.
These communications are made available on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ official platforms and local radio stations, ensuring accessibility and reliability of the information disseminated. The Ministry took this unsettling incident as an opportunity to remind the public about the importance of verifying information through official channels.
In light of forecasts of unsettled weather, the Ministry also urged everyone to exercise caution, stay alert to official updates, and take necessary safety measures in their daily activities. The rapid spread of rumors in the digital age underscores the broader challenge of navigating the information landscape, highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and the importance of adhering to verified communication for the smooth operation of essential services like education.
As the situation returns to normalcy, parents, students, and educators are reassured that educational activities will proceed without interruption, with the Ministry's handling of the incident serving as a testament to their dedication to maintaining order and ensuring accurate information prevails.
Primary source: JTV