We know that there is some anxiety from educators and families about returning to full-time in-class instruction in September. The health and safety of staff and students is the most critical consideration for the Ministry of Education and the education sector this school year.
The Ministry has developed a robust set of
health and safety guidelines collaboratively with public health and the education sector, including teachers, parents, support staff, school leaders and Indigenous rightsholders. These guidelines outline all the measures that schools will be implementing in September and include:
1. Implementing robust illness policies for students and staff (daily self-assessment before entering the school, requirement to stay home if sick).
2. Reinforcing regular hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
3. A requirement that masks be worn by all staff and middle and secondary students on buses, in common areas with high traffic such as hallways, and outside of the classroom or learning group when physical distancing is not possible (schools will have non-medical masks and face shields available for staff).
4. An additional investment of $45.6 million
from the Provincial Government to support enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, handwashing stations, the purchase of up to 1.5 million reusable masks and other safety measures.
5. Organizing students/staff in learning groups to reduce in-person interactions.
When combined, these measures will allow schools to ensure that they maintain safe learning and teaching environments.
