The provincial government is welcoming students back to school. Education Minister Dustin Duncan says, “Schools are safe places and an important part of the mental health and development of our kids.”

He notes the province’s interim plan is in place to support students’ learning and mental health, and adds that safety continues to be top of mind and adds that the Ministries of Health and Education are in regular communication with all provincial school divisions.

For most students, school begins on Wednesday, including in Saskatoon, and most teachers and staff are already at work. The interim plan announced earlier this month includes three priorities taking into consideration the effect of COVID-19 in the last school year, and continuing this year.

There are reading supports for Grades one to five students, supportive learning opportunities for students whose education may have been impacted by the pandemic, and mental health supports for students and staff as they return from a challenging