Education Minister Rob Fleming during a 2016 visit to the South Okanagan. (File photo)
Osoyoos Times Staff
At a press conference held at noon today by the Office of the Premier and Ministries of Finance and Education, Premier John Horgan announced that in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, K-12 education in B.C. is suspended until further notice.
Schools K-12 will remain closed indefinitely when spring break ends on March 30 due to COVID-19 concerns.
Premier John Horgan called it a “difficult decision,” at a press conference in Victoria on Tuesday.
“I want to reassure parents and students every student will receive a final mark. All students who are on track to move to the next grade in the fall will do so. For Grades 10 and 11 students, graduation assessments will be postponed,” said Rob Fleming, B.C. Education Minister.
Fleming said students in Grade 12 face unique concerns, but “every student eligible to graduate Grade 12 this year will graduate.”
The suspension of in-class instruction “could go on for some time,” Fleming said.
“We’re used to schools being safe places where kids learn and grow and socialize, but we have to take action today to protect our students and staff and keep our students safe,” Fleming said.
Fleming mentioned the possibility of moving to online learning and distance education in the future.
Childcare that takes place in B.C. schools is continuing, but those services may be suspended in the future as well. Teachers will return to work following spring break to deliver some instruction and childcare for frontline workers.
Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan have closed schools in the past week to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Fleming said he did not know how long schools will remain closed.
“We don’t have all the answers today, this is a fast-moving situation.”
