I have been pondering on how the government and the boards of education across the province can begin the school year in six weeks. There are three different solutions that I see, and each comes with its own risks.
The first is to begin school just as they were closed in early March with all students in the classroom as if nothing has changed. Boards would have to hire additional staff to clean all parts of the school in a continuous fashion. Students would have to wear masks full time as would all the teachers and teachers would be expected to encourage all students to wash their hands more frequently.
The second plan would be a hybrid of the first. Classes would be divided in half with students attending on alternate days. Again, the board would have to hire additional staff to maintain antiseptically clean washrooms, cafeterias, and classrooms. Bus schedules would have to be created which would require extra costs. At home and in class, teaching would happen simultaneously with students not in school able to interact with their mates in the classroom in real time. This would require internet services within the school to telecast the classroom to students at home. The boards would also have to make sure that students at home had the technology and services in even the most remote areas of the province. Internet service providers would need the province to expand the services into the most difficult areas. This plan would make it difficult for parents to return to the workplace.
The third plan would be to follow the directions beginning prior to the closing of schools in March. Students would not return to the classroom in the fall. All learning would be home-based, relying on parents to do the teaching. Again, this will cost the government money. This would require internet services within the school to telecast the classroom to students at home. The boards would also have to make sure that students at home had the technology and services in even the most remote areas of the province. Internet service providers would need the province to expand the services into the most difficult areas. This plan will be hardest on youth who will miss social interaction with their friends. The province faces the same issues with daycare.
None of these solutions would have full endorsement. The Ministry of Education and local boards of education must first be sure that beginning in September, a safe environment must exist for students, teachers, and service staff to prevent any spread of the virus. Parents must feel comfortable sending their children back into classrooms. Teachers must feel safe working with students in the classroom and support staff also must feel safe being back in the schools. None of the three plans would have support of all three primary groups. None can guarantee the full safety of children from the virus.
Successful opening of schools can be found in Germany, Holland, Norway, France, and other European countries. Boards and the province can learn from their direction. No solutions are perfect to make teachers, students, parents and staff safe and comfortable with school openings in September.
