B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming says the government’s goal for June, if downward COVID-19 trends continue, is to provide in-class learning for kindergarten to Grade 5 students on a part-time basis.
The government would also restart in-class learning, as needed, for grades 6 to 12, on a part-time basis, by June.
Remote and online learning would continue to be available for all students in any grade.
School provides not only education, but huge social and emotional benefits for children. By working with Dr. Bonnie Henry and all of our #bced partners, our government has built a staged approach to safely increase in-class instruction already happening in B.C. schools.
— Rob Fleming (@Rob_Fleming) May 7, 2020
On Thursday, Fleming tweeted about the stages British Columbia will use as it works on a phased-in approach to in-class learning.
The plan was outlined as part BC’s restart plan released on May 6.
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The Ministry of Education said it is working with all 60 school districts, independent school authorities, First Nations schools, teachers, school leaders, support staff, public health officials and all its education partners to begin “a co-ordinated and measured phased-in approach to resuming in-class learning, guided by strict health and safety guidelines.”
There will be five stages leading to the eventual return of all students to classrooms, with flexibility for home learning.
The stages are:
Stage 5
Suspend all in-class instruction for all grades and students.
Remote and online learning for all students.
Stage 4 *Current stage
In-class learning for children of essential service workers and vulnerable students.
Remote and online learning continues for most students.
Stage 3
In-class learning for students in kindergarten to Grade 5 on a part-time basis.
Access to in-class learning as needed for grades 6 to 12 on a part-time basis.
Remote and online learning continues to be available for students.
Stage 2
In-class learning for all students in elementary school (K to 7) on a full-time basis.
In-class learning for secondary students (grades 8 to 12) on a part-time basis.
Remote and online learning continues to be available for secondary students.
Stage 1
A return to full in-class instruction.
As of right now, face-to-face instruction is suspended for the majority of students. Schools in the province are open for some students, including children of essential service workers and those who are vulnerable and need more supports. Online and remote learning opportunities are being delivered to most students at home.
There are currently 4,700 children of essential service workers and about 300 vulnerable students and students with disabilities/diverse abilities in public and independent school classrooms throughout B.C.
“Schools are operating under the guidelines established by the provincial health officer and BC Centre for Disease Control to ensure the safety of students and education professionals,” the BC Ministry of Education said in a release.
“These guidelines include controlling access to buildings, maintaining physical distancing amongst staff
and implementing distancing strategies for students who are in schools, and maintaining good hygiene practices.
The ministry will continue to work closely with all education partners. More information on the
phased-in approach to resuming in-class instruction will be available in the weeks to come.”
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