Manitoba Education announced on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, that students in grades 7 to 12 will be moving to remote learning after the Christmas break.
Beginning January 4, 2021, remote learning will be mandatory for a period of two weeks for grades 7 to 12 with parents being given the option to have children in grades Kindergarten to grade 6 also move to remote learning. In-class learning will be available for all K to 6 students as well as grade 7 to 12 students with special needs that must be accommodated in a classroom setting.
“Current data indicates the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our schools remains low and we want to ensure the return to the classroom is as safe as practically possible,” said Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen. “By moving our grade 7 to 12 students to remote learning for the first two weeks of the new year and offering remote learning options to kindergarten to Grade 6 students, we are reducing the risk that may be posed as a result of a change in students’ close contacts during the winter break.”
The two week remote learning period is being implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the school population after the Winter break.
“Evidence suggests that older students have a higher incidence of contracting the virus, a larger number of close contacts and are more likely to transmit the virus to others as a result. Moving this group to remote learning will reduce the risk of transmission in schools while minimizing the impact on kindergarten to Grade 6 students and their families,” the province said in a media release announcing the move.
© News4.ca 2020
