Teachers and parents protest government’s back-to-school plan

Justin Gaudet was also at Friday’s rally along with his wife and son, who is entering Grade 3.

“It seems that we have all heard this is an airborne virus, so why would you not limit class sizes?” he said, adding he would like to see the provincial government spend more money expanding schools or hiring teachers.

“I think this government wants to save a buck and hope nothing bad happens so that they can move on with their $4 billion irrigation project,” he said.

A number of different masks and signs were on display at Friday’s rally. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Prince Albert Northcote NDP MLA Nicole Rancourt and Prince Albert Carlton NDP candidate Troy Parenteau were on hand at the rally. Rancourt told the crowd she was livid when she heard what she referred to as the government’s “non-plan.”

“We were the last province to come forward with a plan and yet we have the worst plan in Canada which is ridiculous,” she said.

Rancourt explained a lot of the pubic backlash to the government’s school plan, could have been avoided had the Ministry of Education listened to teachers before the pandemic started, and addressed classroom overcrowding. She also cited cuts to educational assistant staffing and custodial staff as aggravating factors.

“[The government] made it so it’s incredibly difficult going forward within this pandemic stage but yet they want us to go forward as normal as we can in a society that is nothing at all normal at this time,” she said.

A number of parents on hand at Friday’s rally, said the government’s back-to-school plan is too vague. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

With the provincial election less than three months away, critics of the NDP’s education rallies, have speculated the NDP is simply looking for a political advantage. Troy Parenteau refuted that claim.

“It’s not a political event, it’s about safety and it’s about having a level of protection,” he said.

MLA Joe Hargrave’s office is currently closed until Monday, and Hargrave was not available to speak to paNOW on Friday due to personal circumstances.

Government response

The first level of the Government of Saskatchewan’s back-to-school plan doesn’t require students to wear masks when school resumes Sept. 1. But the government announced Friday it has invested more than $2 million to procure six million disposable masks to be used in schools, a supply it says will last school divisions until the end of the calendar year.

Some school divisions are encouraging the use of masks and personal protective equipment even in level one. The government said it’s now “actively considering” the mandatory use of masks under level two after getting feedback from groups like the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA).

“As the situation with COVID-19 in Saskatchewan is fluid, the Safe Schools Plan provides consideration to changes and updates as needed, as accounted for within the four levels,” the government said in a media release.

“Under level two of the plan, mask usage can be implemented under the direction of the chief medical health officer in consultation with public health either regionally or provincially, based on the most up-to-date situation and scientific information available,” the ministry said.

The government said the six million masks will be distributed to school divisions before the start of the school year. The masks will be available to students, teachers and staff on a daily basis.

As well, the province said it has “supported school divisions in obtaining access to free face shields for staff” through an Ontario-based company.

—

— with files from 980 CJME

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Teachers and parents protest government’s back-to-school plan

What's Trending