Sask. Grade 12s who lost grad in 2020 fear deja vu reality
CTV
With ongoing job action by Saskatchewan teachers and no end in sight to a contract dispute with the provincial government, some high school students in the province are worried graduation ceremonies could be cancelled.
With ongoing job action by Saskatchewan teachers and no end in sight to a contract dispute with the provincial government, some high school students in the province are worried graduation ceremonies could be cancelled.
For students in Grade 12, it would mean a second lost graduation.
Four years ago, high school seniors Gabby Kaban, Zach Markusson and Kyle Conteh were all in Grade 8, facing very similar circumstances to the ones they’ve currently found themselves in because of the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding restrictions.
“Its scary because we didn’t get Grade 8 grad due to COVID, we also didn’t get our elementary school basketball finals because of the teachers stuff so just knowing this is happening again is still a problem, it’s just kinda sad,” Conteh said.
“Just being able to walk the stage, you only get to walk the stage once in your high school career so that’s definitely a nerve, but I feel like hopefully everything can work out and we’ll be able to do that,” Markusson added.
As the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) continues its battle with the provincial government, all extra curricular activities have been paused in schools across Saskatchewan heading into the Easter break, something that has greatly affected many highly involved students.
“Band, choir, music, sports, athletics like all of the extracurricular activities that go on impact all the students and so by taking those away, you’re taking away a big part of the high school experience,” Kaban said.