THUNDER BAY - Despite the local health unit giving the okay for students in the district to return to the classroom after the April break, the provincial government is going to be keeping them at home for virtual learning.
Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce made the announcement Monday afternoon.
“The situation is changing quickly and we need to respond,” Ford said. “Right now I am extremely concerned about the new variants. The South African variant, the U.K. variant, and the Brazilian variant spreading rapidly right now in B.C.”
The province recorded more than 4,400 new COVID-19 cases on Monday and Ford said the next few weeks will be critical and there are growing concerns of further community spread.
“Until we get the numbers in the community down, the problem is not in our schools, it is in our community,” he said. “Bringing our kids back to a congregate setting after a week off in the community is not a risk I am willing to take.”
Last week, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit gave the green light for district school boards to return to the classroom after the break.
COVID-19 numbers in the district have been on the decline, with 91 cases considered active, the lowest since Jan. 10.
However, the provincial government said all publically funded elementary and secondary school students across the province will continue remote learning after the April break.
Lecce said the decision to continue with remote learning was based on medical advice to keep reduce community transmission and data will be collected on an ongoing basis to determine when it is safe for students to return to the classroom.
"We will communicate to parents based on the advice we receive from the chief medical officer of health to reopen our schools," Lecce said. "That is our intent. It just has to be safe. As soon as we get that go ahead from Dr. Williams and his team we will make sure parents know with advance knowledge so they can prepare for the return to school."
Francis Veneruz, chairman of Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, said it is disappointing that students won't be returning to the classroom, but he understands the decision by the province.
"As we all know, it would be great to have the kids back in school," he said. "We understand they are worried about the safety protocols and what is happening across the province, but whenever we are able to go back, I think that is the best place for the kids to be."
Veneruz said the board was prepared to invite students back to the classroom, but it is also prepared to continue to offer virtual at-home learning for the time being.
"Our teachers will continue to do the great job they are doing to provide the best education they can to their students," he said. "It’s hard. Not only is it going to impact students, it’s also going to impact our staff. Everyone was excited to get back and getting prepared and having this chance to regenerate and back into the mainstream and I’m sure people are discouraged."
The province is currently under a stay at home order first implemented on April 6 and is to be in effect for at least four weeks.
