With the future of in-class education still up in the air until the threat of COVID-19 calms down to a more manageable level, Education Minister Gordon Wyant said the ministry is working on a number of different scenarios in the event schools can’t reopen in September.
“We are in constant contact between the response planning team and administrations throughout the school divisions to make sure we are doing everything we can,” said Wyant.
“There is no playbook for this,” he added.
Wyant said with the quick spread of COVID-19, the province needed to move quickly and decisively in order to protect staff and students. He added he is pleased with the success the province has seen using the “new way” of delivering education.
“We needed to move quickly and decisively in order to protect our students, staff and families, and within a matter of weeks, a supplemental learning framework was created to provide students with learning opportunities from their home,” said Wyant.
“I am very pleased with the success we have seen using this new way of delivering education to our students and I commend teachers, staff and parents for adapting quickly and enthusiastically,” he added.
Wyant said the advice given by the chief medical health officer will decide whether or not traditional education will resume.
“If that is not a possibility then we will have to continue what we are doing,” said Wyant.
“We continue to work on supplementary learning opportunities so that in the event school can’t commence in September, we’ll have a robust plan for the delivery of public education,” he added.
A media release sent out by the province added the Education Response Planning Team is working with education sector partners to begin work on what in-class learning may look like this fall. The statement said timelines will depend on the safety of everyone in Saskatchewan schools.
With the school year being cut short due to COVID-19 and students being given final marks a lot earlier than normal, Wyant said the province has been providing supplementary learning opportunities for students to continue their studies and enhance their grades.
“There have been conversations between our sector and post-secondary in terms of admittance of Grade 12 students to university in these circumstances,” said Wyant.
“We have been providing supplementary learning opportunities for those kids who want to improve their marks and who want to make sure they have the best possible foundation for moving on,” he added.
For those students graduating this year, school divisions are working with graduates and staff to consider virtual graduation ceremonies and possible postponements as well, as public health orders remain which prevent more than 10 people from gathering together.
“We know that graduation ceremonies and celebrations are important to so many families, and we extend a warm congratulations to all of Saskatchewan’s Grade 12 students and we wish them the very best in their futures,” Wyant said.
