Teachers might not find out until Aug. 20 what school will look like in the fall, according to the BC Teachers’ Federation.
In a letter to its members, BCTF president Teri Mooring stated the provincial government “will communicate to teachers and the public by August 20 about the stage schools will resume under in September.”
Mooring added the BCTF is advocating for teachers to get paid time to plan before students return to school.
In-class instruction was suspended after spring break because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in June, when schools were opened up partially, about 79 per cent of teachers returned to Richmond classrooms.
Kindergarten to Grade 5 students were in classes two days per week and Grades 6 to 12 were offered instruction – or tutorials for high school students – for the equivalent of one day a week.
Richmond school district superintendent, Scott Robinson, said earlier this month the school district is planning different scenarios and depending on the announcement from the province, will then put into place the appropriate plan.
The provincial government announced this week it is moving to Phase 3 of the pandemic, easing up some restrictions and movement around the province.
However, there is widespread anticipation of a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall.
The education ministry has created a steering committee that includes teachers, parents, support staff, administrators, trustees and public health to prepare for September, taking lessons from how school was administered during the pandemic and partial return to classrooms in June.
