(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Re-Open Saskatchewan

Concerns emerging about plans to reopen schools

Jul 14, 2020 | 4:58 PM

The organization representing the province’s teachers says members have concerns about return to school planning.

In a media release sent out Monday the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) said a survey conducted by the Canadian Teachers Federation showed teachers in Saskatchewan feel there are a lack of proper protections in place to ensure a safe return to school.

“It is difficult to understand why precautions are necessary everywhere else, such as physical distancing and personal protective equipment, but not in our schools,” said STF President Patrick Maze in the release.

According to the STF, the top concerns heard from teachers related to mental health and well being of both students and staff. Equity supports for teaching and access to technology were also sources of concern.

To address these concerns the STF is asking for clear guidelines and communication from the province and school divisions. They are also asking for proper supports for students with intensive needs and supports to help students with both physical and emotional needs.

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Prince Albert and Area Teachers Association President Ted Zurakowski said local teachers are becoming stressed about the coming school year.

“They want to know what their school year’s going to look like, part of that is, what’s the classroom going to look like, what’s the construct of the classroom, the safety protocols,” he said.

Specifically, Zurakowski said there are concerns about possible health risks. He said there are questions about how proper hand washing protocols are going to be followed and what will be provided to ensure procedures can be followed.

“Are there going to be hand sanitizer in the classroom or is it just in the common area of the hallway, those types of things teachers need to have planned for and need to be clear,” he said.

Zurakowski said there are also worries about increased cleaning measures and specifically how those will be carried out and by whom exactly.

So far local school divisions have sent out surveys to teachers asking for feedback. Zurakowski said he understands the province is responsible for the reopen plan and has delegated much responsibility to local school divisions, putting them in a difficult position.

The local teacher’s association president said he is still hoping to be able to meet with both local school divisions and is also hoping the policies they come up with will address the worries his members have.

“The reveal of those safety protocols will hopefully answer some of those questions,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn