As the province hopes to see a return to some form of in-person classes this school year, Premier John Horgan says more details about that plan will be released tomorrow at 10 a.m..

“We have reached a collective agreement with the BC Teachers Federation, a freely bargained agreement – the first that happened in a long long while,” Horgan said Wednesday. “We’re very excited about the partnership in the K-to-12 sector whether it be with trustees, superintendents, teachers, parents, support workers.”

B.C. schools were closed almost two months ago, and all classes were moved online to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“And we are very much looking forward to doing a trial run in the weeks ahead as we come to the end of this year, and looking to how we can build to more success in the year ahead,” said Horgan.

The Premier was also asked about the potential of job losses following the word that nearly 200 teachers were laid off in Coquitlam because of a drop in international student enrolment due to the pandemic. He says the plan doesn’t anticipate there to be any lost jobs.

“As we look at new models, we’re going to probably see an increase, and a requirement for teachers and support staff,” Horgan added.

“Challenges about international students are very real, but I think its premature to talk about the impact of what that might mean here in May when we are talking about the school year in September.”

SD73 Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk previously told NL News that the earliest kids could return to school on a part time basis would be May 25. She also told NL News that the international student program in the Kamloops area is expected to ahead in the fall.