Manitoba Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced on Tuesday March 31, 2020, that the K-12 schools are suspended indefinitely for the rest of the school year.

“We must do everything we can to flatten the COVID curve and protect the health and well-being of all Manitobans,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “The decision to suspend classroom learning in school indefinitely for this school year is the easiest decision to make because it protects our children and their education – it is the right thing to do.” 

Goertzen says that no student will be held back due to the pandemic but students will be expected to continue to actively engage in learning.

The minister said that provincial exams for students in grade 12 will be cancelled but students on track for graduating this year will still graduate.

Teachers will teach remotely, assign work, conduct assessments and prepare final report cards.

For students in early and middle years provincial assessments are complete for the current school year but other assessments will continue.

“The efforts and success Manitoba teachers and educators have displayed during this public health pandemic have been inspiring,” said Goertzen.  “I join all Manitobans in asking educators to continue doing all they can to use remote and innovative methods to teach students through the remainder of this school year. 

© News4.ca 2020