In-person classes will not resume in Saskatchewan until at least September, but the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation would like to know what the province is planning for once schools re-open.
Classes are being held virtually until the end of June in the province, though most students are already moving up their grade year next year.
When it comes to COVID-19 concerns, Federation President Patrick Maze says there is a general worry of spreading the virus to teachers and their families.
“Lots of teachers can report to work in normal situations just fine, but some have concerns about their own immunity with things like asthma or other health issues,” explains Maze. “We want to make sure everyone is safe and that has to be our first priority.”
However, Maze says many teachers want an in-person connection in the classroom, but virtual learning to start school in the fall is still possible if the ministry of health deems it unsafe for schools to re-open.
He adds there’s a real desire for education to return to normal.
“I know that teachers want to get back in front of their students, and nothing replaces that face-to-face interaction that goes on in a classroom,” he notes. “Even though I’ve heard from all accounts that teachers have done an amazing job on getting some of their materials online, that still isn’t ideal.”
Several provinces, such as Quebec, B.C. and Manitoba, have opened their schools at least partially. Quebec schools fully reopened outside of Montreal as of May 11.
