A decision comes this afternoon on whether in-class instruction will resume in the province’s K-12 schools next week.
A live briefing has been scheduled for this afternoon to update the province on COVID numbers and the school situation.
Premier Andrew Furey, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Health Minister John Haggie, Education Minister Tom Osborne, and school board CEO Tony Stack will all be in attendance.
The school districts have already begun preparations for the return to in-class instruction. Rapid antigen tests were distributed through the schools yesterday, and more will be given out today.
Should Monday be set as the return date, students and staff will have to take their first COVID tests tomorrow.
The briefing is scheduled for 2 p.m., VOCM News will carry it live.
Meanwhile, the opposition critic for education wants to see the return to in-class learning delayed by at least another week.
With case counts and hospitalizations still high, Barry Petten says he’s hearing a lot of concerns from families about the potential return to class. He thinks a decision should be paused until next week to see how the situation plays out and to give parents more peace of mind about the return to school.
As well, when classes do resume, he wants to see an online option for parents who are still uncomfortable sending their children.
He says he contacted Minister Osborne earlier this week and urged the department to consider a hybrid option for students.