The BC Teachers Federation and the Prince George District Teachers Association are pleased with the changes made by the province on its back to school plan.
Starting September 8th, all staff will meet with its school’s joint health and safety committee to receive instructions on how the updated guidelines will work with students returning two days later (September 10th).
BCTF President Teri Mooring told MyPGNow.com the added time is a necessary step.
“Things are going to look very different September, even more so than they did in June and most of our students haven’t been back since the pandemic began and it forced us to move to emergency remote learning so there is a lot that needs to be done with students as well.”
District Teachers President Joanne Hapke mentioned that the orientation is equally as crucial for staff to get familiar with the new settings.
“Before kids can return to school we need to receive the health and safety training and we need to understand what are schools are going to look like and we will have a working group that will be starting next week to look to the high schools so we can find out how those cohorts are going to be created.”
Hapke was under the impression the province wasn’t expected to make its original announcement until later this month but was facing pressure from the opposition Liberal party as well as parents.
“Parents wanted to know what it was going to look like the opposition wanted to know what it was going to look like and so the ministry did their best with the information that they had at that time but unfortunately, everybody knows the complexion will change week by week.”
“It’s really important before we get down to academics that everyone is firm and understands what the health and safety requirements are so that everyone can stay safe.”
Mooring, on the other hand, is pleased with the 46-million dollar investment that will supply students and staff with personal protective equipment.
“We have been heartened that there is dedicated money for both the adults in the building and for students to be supplied with face masks and we also know that face shields will be given to teachers and staff, which was really important to us as well.”
Education Minister Rob Fleming announced a delay to the academic in the Legislature on Tuesday.