Vaccine mandates top of mind as B.C. school boards meet with Ministry of Education

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — The possibility of B.C.’s contentious vaccine mandate for teachers and staff is back on the table Thursday, as school boards from across the province prepare to get more guidance from the provincial education minister.

The board chairs will be meeting with Minister Jennifer Whiteside, in Vancouver, “to discuss implications and to hear more about the provincial direction and health advice,” according to the Surrey Board of Education, which wrote about the meeting in a statement issued earlier this week.

The session on policy and governance will be part of the two-day meetings, which is an annual event.

It comes after the province formed a task force to determine the best course of action regarding a potential vaccine requirement for teachers and staff within B.C. schools.

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Both the premier and the minister of education have said that the decision will ultimately be up to the school districts themselves, as they are the employers.

But the BC Teachers’ Federation says it would not support the district-by-district plan, as president Teri Mooring says it would be difficult to implement.

The union has been one of many voices calling for a province-wide mandate instead, but despite some pushback, many school districts are already considering what action they will be taking.

“Our Board has a duty of responsibility to all of our staff, and we want to ensure that we consider their rights when making a decision of this magnitude,” Laurie Larsen, the chair of the Surrey Board of Education said.

“Our superintendent is in the process of developing a report for the Board so we can have a full and comprehensive discussion as the provincial framework develops,” added Larsen about a potential mandate.

On Tuesday, the Delta Board of Education directed the school district to begin work on a safety policy and/or procedure on the viability of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all staff.

The Delta Board of Education has directed the school district to begin work immediately on a safety policy and/or procedure, to provide, amongst other safety measures, the viability of mandatory vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2, for all staff. https://t.co/DDqxYcrYjw pic.twitter.com/4XI4trvIdL

— DeltaSchoolDistrict (@deltasd37) October 13, 2021

“When it comes to a serious illness with the potential for loss of life such as COVID-19, the Board of Trustees believes we should implement as many health and safety precautions as possible,” said Val Windsor, Board Chair, Delta School District.

Delta is also preparing to hear more details from the province on how a mandate will be brought in, or when.

Meanwhile, B.C.’s top doctor has said a first in a series of “school-specific” reports from the BC Centre for Disease Control is expected in mid-October. The findings of that report are expected to be available to parents, school communities, and the public.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar