All classes in Saskatchewan from pre-K to Grade 12 will be suspended indefinitely effective March 20.
That news came from the government in a news release Monday. According to the province, for the period March 16 to 19 cases will wind down. This means parents who are able to keep children home should do so immediately.
According to the release the chief medical officer for the province indicated Sunday that school closures would be based on a number of factors including evidence of sustained transmission within the community, rapid increase of local cases and transmission without a known link to travel or confirmed cases.
The province states there continues to be no evidence that any of these criteria have been met, and that children remaining in schools between March 16 to 19 face a low risk of exposure to COVID-19. They are describing this as a ‘preventative’ approach of ‘proactive’ school closures beginning March 20.
As well, every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Each student eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate.
As well, teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year the Ministry of Education will work with school divisions and Saskatchewan Teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods.
