The provincial government released their proposals in early August, with the intent of reopening schools in Saskatchewan鈥檚 27 divisions in September.
The government stressed a cautious return for teachers, students and staff employees this fall.聽
鈥淥ur guiding principle continues to be ensuring schools are a safe place for students and staff,鈥� Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said.聽鈥淭hese plans and eight areas of focus will allow school communities to have the guidance and appropriate time to implement the required safety measures.鈥澛�
The government maintained their draft plans emphasized safety, saying their reopening scheme was reviewed by Saskatchewan Education鈥檚 Response Planning Team (RPT), in order to ensure adherence to the Primary and Secondary Institution Guidelines.
Moreover, the government also said their guidelines were developed with input from the RPT after meeting and consulting with Saskatchewan鈥檚 Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab.
Under the government鈥檚 plan, the school divisions in the province will adhere to eight safe guidelines for reopening, including safe attendance, safe transportation, safe access, safe facilities, safe classrooms, safe supports, safe activities and safe alternatives.
Divisions were requested to share their individual plans with the families, teachers and school staff.
The government further recognized the COVID-19 situation in Saskatchewan was changeable, so their plans to reopen schools may be revised as necessitated.聽
Currently, the school year is set to begin in Saskatchewan as early as September 1 in accordance with local school division calendars.
The Saskatchewan Teachers鈥� Federation were satisfied with the Ministry of Education for deliberating over the inclusion of masks in schools as a mechanism of contingency; however, a number of questions remained for the union.
鈥淲e all want to return to the classroom, but it must be done safely,鈥� said Patrick Maze, president of the Saskatchewan Teachers鈥� Federation. 鈥淐onsidering masks is a step in the right direction. Teachers and parents are questioning whether this is enough and why there are inconsistencies between the broader public health measures and what is required in schools.鈥�
Overall, Maze was unimpressed with the government鈥檚 reopening plans, calling the eight-part arrangement 鈥淎 squandered opportunity to bring some relief and confidence to teachers, school workers and parents.鈥�
He further wondered how the underfunded divisions would be enabled to implement safety measures such as extra cleaning, the installation of plexiglass in school buses and other particulars designed to inhibit COVID-19 transmission, such as hiring more substitute teachers.
The government wanted classrooms to be reconfigured to minimize contact between students and teachers. Maze was unable to see the how this specific measure would work in practical terms.
鈥淥ur classrooms were already over capacity to circulate, with little room for teachers before the pandemic and that鈥檚 a concern.鈥�
Maze also despaired over the lack of substitute teachers 鈥� many of whom are aged 60 and over and thus are more susceptible to developing serious illnesses from COVID-19.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 the plan if students pass it on to their teachers?鈥� asked Maze.
Masks were another sore point for the STF, who wanted face coverings to become mandatory in schools.
鈥淭hey should be implementing them for all students from pre-K to grade 12,鈥� Maze stated. 鈥淭hey should be implemented for all who enter our schools.鈥�
Maze further suggested that parents should start having their children wear masks before attending school this autumn. 鈥淧arents should get their children to wear masks before school to get used to the idea before the numbers spike and the second wave hits.鈥�
Maze decided the government鈥檚 eight-point reopening proposal for schools contained too many vague and uncertain elements. 鈥淲e鈥檝e heard measures will be ramped up when things change, but what does that look like?鈥�
CUPE, the union representing education support workers, also voiced apprehensions over the government鈥檚 back-to-school designs.聽
鈥淭he plans to return back-to-school by the provincial government lack the overall prerequisite safeguards and resources needed to protect against virus transmission before full in-classroom learning begins,鈥� said Judy Henley, the president of CUPE Saskatchewan. 鈥淭he rushed implementation and lack of key details leaves significant doubt that education staff and students will be properly protected.鈥�
Precise details for reopening Prairie 麻豆传媒AV Schools in September 2020 can be found by clicking here: .听听
