For immediate release
August 14, 2020
NDP wants delayed school reopening plan to be properly resourced
NDP Education Critic Jim Dinn is hoping the delayed release of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District’s reopening plan means that the plan will have the details and resources necessary to keep students, teachers and families safe.
“The uncertainty of opening schools during Covid-19 is causing anxiety among parents and teachers,” said Dinn. “Many feel this is an experiment and they are the guinea pigs.”
Parents and school personnel say they will be looking to this plan to provide detailed guidelines for physical distancing, class sizes, enhanced cleaning, COVID-19 screening, the use of masks, ventilation in schools, busing, and more.
The plan will also need to incorporate new medical health advice promised by the Minister of Health and Community Services.
Dinn wants to see a properly resourced plan. “No matter how detailed the new plan is, it will be impossible to operationalize without resources for more staff and equipment. Government needs to step up and provide school districts with the resources they need to get students, teachers and families safely to the end of the school year in 2021.”
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For further information, contact Bruce Gilbert, Chief of Staff, NDP Caucus at 729-2330 (o), 330-0328 (c), or brucegilbert@gov.nl.ca