Article by Springer Memorial principal Mitchelle Maxwell (left) and her deputy Cheryl Gill showing one of the classrooms set up in keeping with physical distancing protocols for a dozen students. - (Picture by Jameel Springer.) Social Share All systems appear set for children and teachers to return to classrooms for face-to-face learning from Monday. Several schools were doing final preparations yesterday on the grounds and in classrooms, even as the Ministry of Education tried to ascertain which institutions will be ready, with the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) saying it was prepared to follow the ministry’s lead. A new year spike in COVID-19 cases put the brakes on plans for full return to face-to-face classes after online and blended learning last year. The planned April 19 return was further halted by the volcanic ash fall from La Soufriere in St Vincent on April 9.