Concerns rise as Saskatchewan students return to class while out-of-province peers stay home

Saskatchewan is the only province not implementing some kind of delay to in-person learning in grade schools. That has teachers, doctors and the opposition NDP speaking out.

As Ontario announced plans to delay the post-holiday return to school Monday morning, some kids in Saskatchewan were already getting ready to head to class in the only province returning its students to in-person learning on schedule.

That had many raising concerns Monday, and suggesting the provincial government should consider re-charting its course as a fifth wave of COVID-19 bears down on the country.

“It’s taking a big risk. It’s taking a big chance here,” said Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation president Patrick Maze.

“We do know that we were the only province that didn’t have restrictions on gathering sizes all throughout the holidays and that’s a huge concern that schools operated within their communities and so if the communities don’t have any kind of restrictions, then we’re at higher risk.”

Maze said his main concern is that, if left unchecked, Omicron will run rampant through teachers and staff, leaving so many sick and in isolation that keeping classrooms open will become a challenge.

“Staff need to be well in order to be in front of students. We look at airlines where they’re cancelling flights because they can’t staff. We have the same concerns in our schools. We have to be able to guarantee the safety of students in our care.”