All school students will have the option of returning to in-school classes starting in the fall.
The province announced classes for some school districts could be available starting September 1.
“Our plan is to ensure that our schools are fully open and that children are fully attending,” said Education Minister Gordon Wyant.
Wyant cautioned that in-school learning will be dependent on localized new cases of COVID-19, and the risk of community transmission.
“While a return to the classroom in the fall is the scenario being planned for, there will be contingency plans in place in the event that there becomes an elevated transmission risk, and in-class learning cannot resume as planned, either regionally or provincially,” said the province.
School was suspended on March 20, due to the threat of the virus and students have not been in class since, with some opting for virtual learning.
The Education Response Planning Team is developing guidelines to ensure that schools can reopen safely in the fall, either through increased physical distancing and handwashing practices, with guidelines being released publicly next week.
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter Beatty has expressed concern about a possible second wave of the coronavirus affecting education in his region.
Beatty cancelled classes on the First Nation, as some homes don’t have access to the internet, home computer or space to learn.
Wyant said there are unique challenges within that First Nation that are being addressed, but that the goal is to provide an equitable level of education to all students in the fall.
Beatty said that his education officials are working to determine how schools on his First Nation can reopen safely in September. He said guidelines are being developed with the province, to be released soon. Beatty predicts the First Nation’s guidelines will mirror that of the province.
Wyant said considerations are being made for students with immune conditions to learn online.