The President of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is not impressed with the guidelines released by the provincial government for what schools should look like when student go back to classrooms next fall, considering COVID-19 will most likely still be an issue. Patrick Maze says even before the pandemic, school divisions were dealing with education funding that didn’t meet enrollment growth and these guidelines don’t indicate the province will be adding anything extra.

He believes the guidelines are vague. There are no specifics around how to physical distance other than suggestions like staggering classes so everyone isn’t entering and exiting at the same time and getting rid of shared spaces in classrooms. Maze is also concerned that buses will be full, although seats will be assigned. He says there is still time to advocate for changes and more specifics so he hopes there will be some tweaking to the guidelines before the fall.

The Education Critic for the NDP, Carla Beck, also has concerns. She says there are questions like who is going to do the extra work and who is going to pay for all of the additional staff and supplies that may be needed. Beck also wonders what happens if there is an outbreak, because there is no indication from the government as to what the plan would be. (CKRM/CJWW)