Manitoba schools will return to in-person learning under close to normal conditions when the new school year kicks off in September, Minister of Education Cliff Cullen announced on August 5.
The plan will mirror the province’s overall shift from public health orders to public health recommendations.
One public health measure that will remain in effect is cohorting for students in Grade Six and under. Accommodation for remote learning will be made to students who are immunocompromised or have a medical condition that puts them at risk.
However, he province is not making any accommodations at this time for families who may wish to keep their children in remote learning as a general precaution.
“We are pleased to have all students and staff returning to full-time in class learning, while continuing to follow recommended public health fundamentals,” says Cullen. “We know that students learn best in the classroom and the return to school plan will help to ensure schools stay open and adjust with additional measures, as needed, to address changes in local community or school situations.”
Masks and personal protective equipment will be provided to schools, but their use will not be mandated for either staff or students. Mask use, however, will be strongly recommended and public health officials will monitor local conditions as the year goes on. If and when the pandemic situation changes, contingencies measures could be put into place.
Officials do expect that COVID-19 infections will continue to occur in schools, as well as in the community at large, although they expect transmission to remain low with the current high vaccination levels in people 12 and older.
Those under the age of 12 are still not eligible for the currently approved vaccines. Planning is also underway for a school-based campaign for children aged five to 11, once vaccines are approved for that group.
There will be a renewed focus on immunization for those between the ages of 12 and 17. To date, about two-thirds of those aged 12 to 17 have received at least one dose of the vaccine and about 52 percent have received both doses. Immunization teams will attend all schools with students aged 12 to 17 to provide first and second doses, beginning in areas with lower vaccine uptake, to help reduce potential barriers to immunization.
Cases within schools will continue to be reported through the province’s public dashboard when that feature resumes in September.
“I support this reopening school plan,” says Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “Studies show that children are less likely to transmit COVID-19 while at home, in school, or in community settings, and they are at lower risk of severe illness from COVID-19. There are significant benefits to their learning and overall well-being from the in-person interaction and extracurricular activities they get at school. The strong determination of Manitobans has helped limit the spread of the virus. This has resulted in a reduction in overall case numbers, community transmission, and test positivity rates. The strain on our health care system continues to decline as vaccination rates continue to increase.”
Additionally, the province has announced an emphasis this upcoming year on addressing the mental health and well-being of students and the school staff. Students with special needs will also receive support.
Plans are also underway to ensure that young people catch up on important immunizations that may have otherwise been delayed due to the pandemic, such as HPV, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
The province has earmarked $58 to support this school reopening plan. Of that total, $40 million is being provided to provide additional staffing, learning and technology, and health and safety. Funds of $6 million will be spent on masks and personal protective equipment, $5 million for remote learning for those who are immunocompromised, and $2 million for further contingencies.
The final $5 million has already been provided to school divisions over the summer to help assess learning impacts that have resulted from the pandemic so far.