Another academic year with COVID-19 posing a threat for students.
As school returns next week, Education Minister Dominic Cardy hopes it will be a “reasonably normal” year for students, staff, and parents.
“We’re still in COVID, we know that COVID is airborne, we know that COVID is going to continue to present stresses,” mentioned Cardy during a press conference.
The province’s education department will also continue to do its very best to follow science and evidence.
“To recognize the threats, to push for measures when they are necessary, and to make sure that we don’t cost students years and years of their education as well,” continued Cardy.
He mentioned that he will also continue to have conversations with public health regarding guidance and that he is not against bringing in mask mandates for a few weeks at a time if they are necessary to address high case counts.
“I think we’ve seen that masks can be an effective way to prevent COVID-19, and I strongly encourage people who want to use them without the recommendation from public health.”
There are 64 schools that do not have integrated mechanical ventilation systems, however, the province is currently installing the system in 10 of those schools.
“The only reason it’s only 10 is that there’s a shortage of contractors that specialize in that sort that work, and are actually able to do it, so we’re limited there just by the supply of specialists that can do the jobs for us,” mentioned Cardy.
During the beginning of the school year, Cardy will be looking to hear from teachers, principals, and administrators to provide feedback on how schools are handling the situation.
“What we’re going to be doing is looking to a more organized way around Thanksgiving to put out the questions, such as, what are you seeing? What do you need? What are the issues?”
Cardy added he would like to see more children receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which is now offered to children six months and older.
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