B.C. education minister pushes for complete return to school for elementary students in September
Posted July 22, 2020 7:14 pm.
Last Updated July 23, 2020 5:09 am.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — B.C.’s education minister says elementary and middle school students in the province may be looking at a full return to classes in September.
Speaking at the legislature Wednesday afternoon, Rob Fleming says when it comes to going back to class this fall, the province aims for full-time learning for students.
“Education professionals are thinking about how they reengage kids when they’re able to have them returned to the class setting,” Fleming said. “Certainly, for elementary and middle schools, we would like to see schools open 100% for all students.”
What do you think of kids going back to school full-time?
BC's Ed Min @Rob_Fleming says goal is full time (he says meshes with phase plan from May) but different – a new normal, maybe with student cohorts. Plan coming next week. He said this today…#bcpoli #bced @covid19 pic.twitter.com/9dSdRf8HyY— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) July 23, 2020
In June, schools returned on a part-time return basis, but Fleming said moving forward school will “be in a new normal situation [and] schools will look different.”
Fleming adds it’s still too early to say what kind of health precautions children will have to take, or if face masks will be mandatory in class.
“There’s discussion about masks and of course, continuing to anchor a plan on combating COVID-19 through very strong measures around hand hygiene self-monitoring, frequent cleaning of surfaces — so all those things in combination are the sorts of things that make our schools safe.”
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While there are still details to iron out, Fleming says a formal announcement from the province is expected next week.
He says Dr. Bonnie Henry will join him in next week’s address for students and parents and update on the alternate arrangements for secondary students.
