2-week remote-learning period for Manitoba Grade 7-12 students coming after winter break

Manitoba students from Grade 7 to 12 will shift to remote learning for two weeks following the winter break as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, Manitoba's education minister says.

The two-week remote-learning period, starting Jan. 4 and continuing to Jan. 15, will be mandatory for students in grades 7 to 12,and will also be an option for kindergarten to Grade 6 students if families want to keep younger kids at home, Minister Kelvin Goertzen said at a Wednesday news conference.

"These decisions, we know have various impacts," he said.

"They're not made lightlybut they are made in consultation with public health and with the understanding that we believe, and still believe, that the best place for students to learn is in the classroom where it is safe to do so."

In a news release announcing the shift, the province saidthe preventative measure is focused on grades 7 to 12 because older students tend to have more contacts, and so have a higher likelihood of transmitting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

In addition, the province said those students aremore amenable to online learning.

The mandatory shift to remote learning for Grade 7-12 students will keep close to half of the province's student body at home, the province said.

Manitoba is currently under a strict lockdown barring visitors to homes. Stores are also prohibiting the purchase of non-essential itemsdue to the high COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations.

On Wednesday, the province reported there are 351 people in hospital, including 51 in intensive care, marking yet another new record.

Previously, health officials acknowledged the province was mulling the possibility of extending the winter break to offset some transmission that may have occurred over the holiday, butGoertzen saidstudents need to keep up their education.

"We want to keep students learning whether that's remotely or in the classroom, the key is we don't want the education of our young students to stop."

School safety an issue, critics say

Criticsare worried not enough is being done to ensure the safety of Manitoba schools.

"Whether schools are safe or not, we don't actually know," said Dougald Lamont, the leader of the Manitoba Liberals. "We're not actually doing the testing and the contact tracing to be able to tell whether there's transmission in schools or not."

The education critic for the Manitoba NDP,Nello Altomare, saidthe province should implement asymptomatic testing in schools.

"Right now it's all based on data that's incomplete."

Goertzen saidthe decision to begin remote learning after the scheduled breakwas made to allow some time to shift to remote learning, and also to ensure COVID-19 numbers don't spike after the return to school.

"We have seen traditionally in other places, and in Manitobathat the COVID-19 numbers can go up over the break. This provides, from a public health perspective, some additional assurance just to see what those numbers are looking like," he said.

Remote-learning period for Manitoba students

4 years ago

Duration 2:21

Manitoba students from Grade 7 to 12 will shift to remote learning for two weeks following the winter break as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, Manitoba's education minister says.

Province not sure if shiftwill continue after 2 weeks

Goertzencouldn't say with certainty if the remote-learning period will continue after the two weeks are over.

"Making predictions during a pandemic has proven not to be a good business to be in," he said.

"But our priority is to have schools operating."

Regardless,there will be supports for teachers and students during this period, the province said.

Deputy education minister Dana Rudy saidthe previously announcedresource centre to support remote learning will be in place by Jan. 4 to assist students with their studies while they're at home.

The province said they were in the process of hiringup to 140 people who will be employedtosupport teachers delivering remote learningby providinglearning programs, professional development opportunities,instructional coaching andtechnology supports.

Early last month, about 500 teachers signed a letter saying they're at abreaking point and desperate for more staff in schools.

WATCH|Manitoba education officials announce two-week remote-learning period:

Provincial officials give update on 2-week remote-learning period

4 years ago

Duration 48:12