Elementary and high school students in Quebec will be able to resume classes at the beginning of the school year if the COVID-19 situation is stable. Quebec Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge and the public health director have already presented the 2021-2022 reopening plan.
The plan is expected to be updated further in August to give a clearer directive. That will ensure kids have better mental health and can interact with each other in classes.
However, changes in the plan will depend on the epidemiological situation at the time. Quebec hopes that 75 percent of kids aged 12 to 17 will have their second dose before the beginning of the school year.
Currently, only 45 percent of the youth in this group have received or made an appointment for their first shot. Horacio Arruda says that there is a 90 percent chance of students having a normal start in the coming school year.
Students are highly likely to resume specific programs that include extracurricular activities. However, schools have to be vigilant by maintaining measures such as frequent cleaning of surfaces, and washing of hands.
If the situation deteriorates and COVID-19 becomes widespread, emergency protocols may be necessary. However, the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QOAT) is still concerned about ventilation in schools.
Heidi Yetman, the president of QOAT, says that a lot needs to be done before the beginning of the school year. That includes repairs to the ventilation systems and deployment of CO2 measuring equipment in the classroom.
