As expected, the B.C. government is suspending classes indefinitely in the province because of the COVID-19 pandemic
Premier John Horgan made the announcement this afternoon.
“A difficult decision has been made to suspend K-12 learning in BC classrooms at this time, and the decision on how to return will be made in partnership with school districts and independent schools,” he said.
Education Minister Rob Fleming says British Columbians are used to schools being safe places where kids learn and grow and socialize.
“But as the global pandemic COVID-19 is evolving quickly and its having a growing impact in British Columbia, we have to take action today to protect our students and staff and keep our school safe,” noted Fleming.
He says every student who is in line to move on to the next grade will do so, and every student in line to graduate will also do so as well.
“I know that parents of students in Grade 12 will have unique concerns,” said Fleming.Every student eligible to graduate Grade 12 this year will graduate.”
He says solutions for continuing learning will be different for different age groups.
“A lot of classroom teachers contact regularly with parents and students via email already. We have 57 online learning providers in B.C. Right now, the entire B.C. curriculum is available online,” said Fleming.
“So it may be a combination of new types of classroom-based instruction that’s electronic. It may be transferring students into online courses.”
Staff and students in 99 per cent of public schools, including all SD73 schools, were already on spring break as of today, according to Fleming.
He’s asking parents and guardians to speak to their children about the reasons behind today’s announcements.
“The actions we are taking today are temporary,” Fleming said. “We will return to regular school life down the road. In the meantime, look out for one another.”
The province notes that while classrooms are closed, licensed daycares and school-based daycares will be kept open for now, to provide child care for essential workers.
“Health-care providers and other essential personnel in the economy need access to child care,” said Premier Horgan. “Parents should take comfort in that, but it is an evolving situation. Should the public health officials give us different directions, we’ll be taking different actions.”
However, provincial staff say families should be ready to make new plans immediately if new information comes in.
As well, Horgan says the province is modifying the Employment Standards Act to prevent people from getting laid off “by doing the right thing” and staying home if they need to isolate.
We know you all have questions. We are working to get you answers about the directive to suspend in-person classes. Please be patient. And in these uncertain times, remember that in order to help others, teachers need to take care of themselves. We have your backs.#bced #bcpoli
— BCTF (@bctf) March 17, 2020