Government is putting more cleaning, testing, and PPE in place in the province’s schools thanks to funding provided by the federal government.

Newfoundland and Labrador is getting just over $26-million of $2-billion in federal funding to help ensure the safe return to classes.

The funding will be split in two, with $13-million being provided up-front, and the other half being provided once the province provides a report on how the first half was spent.

Education Minister Tom Osborne says additional resources are being hired including school principals, custodial staff, and guidance counsellors to help students.

Funding is also available to keep students and staff safe.

That includes flexibility to adapt learning spaces, improvements to air systems, increased hand sanitization, PPE, and testing.

Province Working Towards Busing Solutions

The provincial government is exploring options when it comes to school busing for the coming school year.

Education Minister Tom Osborne acknowledges that efforts to protect students from the spread of COVID-19 have caused great concern for parents.

It could mean some 7,000 students will no longer have access to busing, but Minister Osborne says they’re working to reduce that number.

He can’t say at this stage how many affected students they will be able to accommodate, but they are working toward a solution.

School districts will also supply cleaning supplies to school bus operators to take that added financial burden off their shoulders.