The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is calling on the Government of Saskatchewan to acknowledge the rate of COVID-19 transmission in schools and take immediate action to protect students’ health and their access to education.

S-T-F President Patrick Maze says provincial COVID-19 data and experiences from the front lines tell a story of an education system that is under pressure and one where students’ needs aren’t being fully met despite the unwavering efforts of teachers and school staff. In a letter Tuesday, the S-T-F asked the government to address the most pressing issues, including breakthrough cases in vaccinated school staff; inconsistent approaches to declaring outbreaks and isolation requirements; increasing difficulties securing substitute teachers; and significant delays in contact tracing. The S-T-F pointed out that the Minister of Education’s last significant comments to media regarding COVID-19 were on August 23, defending the government’s decision to not require masks in schools across the province prior to the start of the school year, despite doctor recommendations.