The Saskatchewan NDP described Education Minister Gord Wyant’s announcement on Tuesday as “disastrous” following updates to the government’s Safe Schools Plan.

Minister Wyant offered recommendations for schools divisions and left the decision making for mask usage in the hands of divisions when classes resume next month. However NDP Education Critic Carla Beck believes the plan leaves schools and families even more confused heading into the fall.

She reiterated her call for safety in Saskatchewan schools saying the province’s plan needs to address crowded classrooms when schools reopen in the fall during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m very frustrated with the fact that we are having any of these discussions two weeks before teachers go back to classrooms,” said Beck. “We are going to have to do the best we can given the time frame. But this should have been done months ago or at least a month ago.”

She said families, teachers and staff deserve clarity and a well-resourced plan that provides safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I can’t even imagine how difficult this is for school principals and school boards scrambling trying to make sense of the minister’s press conferences, but also trying to put a plan in place that will keep staff and students as safe as possible.”

Beck also renewed her call for the Human Services Committee to address the province’s return-to school plan.