As of June 1, teachers will be permitted to return to school to wrap up the school year and take part in what are being called critical professional learning opportunities in areas of technology and virtual learning—something the Minister of Education says is in preparation for a possible second wave of COVID-19.

Education Minister Brian Warr says teachers will be allowed back in schools on June 1 to prepare final report cards and start planning for the next school year.

Warr says these professional learning opportunities in tech and virtual learning are in fact setting the stage for a second wave in which schools have to close again.

He says it’s not lost on them that this is new for both students and teachers. Government wants to make sure teachers are best prepared in the event schools are still closed in September, or there is a combination of virtual learning and in-class instruction.

Warr says the plan is to have students back in school, but they need to be ready in case that can’t happen.

NLTA Preparing for Any Scenario

 

Teachers’ Union President Dean Ingram says until a vaccine is available, uncertainty remains, and teachers are doing what they can to prepare for every possible scenario.

Ingram says they have to abide by whatever the Chief Medical Officer of Health advises, but teachers will be prepared to work from home if necessary.