As another pandemic school year approaches, COVID-19 concerns amongst parents and staff are still prevalent. With the Delta variant making its way across the country, and daily case numbers rising, many are questioning the province’s plan of “business as usual”.

Provincial Education Minister Dustin Duncan says, “We’re hopeful that it’s going to be as close to a normal school year as possible, but obviously that will depend on the local situation, the local circumstances, and what’s happening, broadly speaking, across the province,”

Duncan says the government supports installed over the last year will go a long way to helping schools stay open this year.

He adds if there’s one positive about entering a third COVID-19 school year, is that school divisions know what to expect.

“We’ve been at this for a year and a half, its affected two school years so far,” said Duncan. “And we want to, as much as possible, ensure that it causes the least disruption to a third school year.”

With vaccines not yet available to children under the age of 12, Duncan says the best way to ensure their protection is to boost vaccination rates in eligible children.  (CKRM)