The Government of Saskatchewan announced on Thursday that all in-class learning in Saskatchewan has been suspended until September, meaning that schools in Moose Jaw will remain closed until at least the next school year.
The decision covers the province’s 180,000 students and will see classes still being conducted online as they have been since the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down the province a little over a month ago.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Saskatchewan, it impacted everyone in the education sector,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said in a press release “We needed to move quickly and decisively in order to protect our students, staff and families, and within a matter of weeks, a supplemental learning framework was created to provide students with learning opportunities from their home.
“I am very pleased with the success we have seen using this new way of delivering education to our students and I commend teachers, staff and parents for adapting quickly and enthusiastically.”
Saskatchewan Education and their Response Planning Team have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation on a continuous basis and made the decision in light of the outbreak continuing to have a foothold in the province, mainly in northern Saskatchewan.
The cancellation of classes will also affect graduation ceremonies for Grade 12 students throughout the province, with school divisions working with graduates and staff to possibly create virtual graduation ceremonies – as an example, former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are hosting their Dear Class of 2020 virtual commencement on YouTube on Saturday, June 6 – or even holding off on the ceremonies altogether until the public health order against gatherings of 10 people or more is lifted.
“We know that graduation ceremonies and celebrations are important to so many families, and we extend a warm congratulations to all of Saskatchewan’s Grade 12 students and we wish them the very best in their futures,” Wyant said.
Online education and classes from home will continue until the end of the school year.
