The union representing teachers in Nova Scotia (NSTU) is lashing out over the provinces decision to send most students back to class on Wednesday.
Premier Iain Rankin announced on Friday students outside of HRM and Sydney would return to school to finish out the school year. He said his reasoning was based on consultations with health professionals on the importance of in-school learning and low COVID numbers in rural areas.
It comes a few weeks after Rankin made the decision to continue at-home learning for the rest of the year for all students and staff.
“We know that in-person schooling is best for children, and thanks to Nova Scotians following the rules, we can safely reopen schools to many of our students,” said Rankin. “We want students in their classes with their peers, finishing the year strong.”
However, NSTU President Paul Wozney says the about-face is risky on a number of levels.
“I appreciate how difficult the decision was to suspend in-person learning for the remainder of the year. It impacted a lot of households and there are compelling views on either side of the issue,” said Wozney. “But given how many teachers and students were infected just a few weeks ago in schools, and how little time remains in the academic year, the appropriate decision was made last week. Reversing the decision now for a brief return to school brings with it significant risk and could cause a lot of fear and anxiety for families.”
According to the provincial data gathered by the union, from mid-April to early May there were over 60 schools across Nova Scotia with positive COVID-19 cases.
“It’s unfortunate, but in late April, government and public health repeatedly assured families that schools were safe for kids, when clearly they were not,” explained Wozney. “Hearing those same assurances repeated again will stir up negative emotions for those directly impacted by COVID-19 at their school.”
He adds, “Dr. Strang has been very clear about the dangers of the new variants and how they impact children more severely than the original virus. Yet, thousands of students will return to crowded classrooms with minimal safety precautions without having been vaccinated.”
The plan is for students in communities outside of Halifax and Sydney to return to school on June 2.
At-home learning will continue for students at:
Halifax Regional Centre for Education:
— all schools
Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education:
— Sydney Academy
— Sherwood Park Education Centre
— Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School
— Brookland Elementary School
— Shipyard Elementary
— Cusack Elementary School
— Harbourside Elementary School
— Adult High School
— Riverview High School
— Malcolm Munroe Middle School
— Sydney River Elementary School
— Riverside School
— Marion Bridge Elementary
— Mountainview Elementary
— Coxheath Elementary
— Robin Foote Elementary
Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education:
— Uniacke District School
— Elmsdale District School
— Enfield District School
— Maple Ridge Elementary
— Riverside Education Centre
— Hants East Rural High School
Conseil scolaire acadien provincial schools in HRM and Sydney:
— École des Beaux-Marais
— École Bois-Joli
— École du Carrefour
— École secondaire Mosaïque
— École secondaire du Sommet
— École Mer et Monde
— École Beaubassin
— École du Grand-Portage
— Centre scolaire Étoile de l’Acadie
