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By Caden Fanshaw

COVID-19

‘Functional closure’ concerns remain for K-12 schools even after delayed start: BCTF

Dec 30, 2021 | 5:25 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – As the BC Ministry of Education in conjunction with public health officials announce a delayed start for K-12 students in the new year, concerns remain.

On top of the delayed start, enhanced safety measures have also been put into place for BC schools including restrictions on gatherings, the cancellation of school sports tournaments, and others.

“The rapid emergence of the Omicron variant means that we have to ensure we have the foundations in place to keep our schools safely open,” said Jennifer Whiteside, BC Minister of Education.

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Teri Mooring, President of the BC Teachers Federation said the delay, and the safety measures are welcome news, but there is more that can be done.

“What we’re trying to avoid is a lot of functional closures as we move through January, and this week is certainly not going to prevent that,” said Mooring.

Even with all of these enhanced safety measures, and a delayed start, serious concerns remain from the BC Teachers Federation, and parent groups about possible functional closures in 2022.

The functional closures are feared to be made worse by staffing shortages. A serious teacher shortage exists in BC, and especially in Prince George according to the BCTF.

Many questions still remain for the BCTF, including a rapid testing strategy, access to N95 masks for staff and students, school exposure notifications, and remaining concerns around ventilation.

The SD57 Parent Advisory Council echoed the same message around functional closures, and advise all of those with children in the system to connect with their PAC.