Schools in South Ayrshire will return with a “soft start” on August 12, council chiefs have confirmed.
Education chief, Douglas Hutchison, said attempts to fully reopen that day may prove beyond reach.
It follows a move to scrap the planned policy of blended learning, which came just days before the start of the school summer holidays.
“Schools will now work to make a number of changes before pupils return,” said Mr Hutchison.
But he added that the “late announcement from the Scottish Government” had given his staff “limited time” to do so.
He added: “We intend to continue with a planned start date of August 12, but the first week will be a ‘soft start’.
“This means that pupils may not be in school full days, or every day for the first three days of term, but we aim to have everyone back in school full time by Monday, August 17.
“We’ll keep in touch with pupils, parents and carers over the next few weeks to confirm specific details for each school.
“While many things are uncertain at the moment, one thing is crystal clear, and that is the commitment of teachers, and all staff, to make sure our young people get the best possible chance to recover what has been lost.”
