Safety needs to be the number one priority for schools, that according to the President of the New Brunswick Teachers Association.
Rick Cuming says, “We have been clear from the beginning of the pandemic that the best place for students to receive an education is in our schools face to face with our teachers, but it is crucial that safety is our number one priority and the presence of this variant, is a real concern for teachers.”
Cuming says most high school teachers have received vaccines, but he is pushing for all other teachers to receive one as well, “Most of our elementary and middle school teachers, haven’t had a chance to be vaccinated yet, nor have our supply teachers so that is absolutely essential that they are offered this vaccine as soon as possible.”
He adds that a return to full time in class learning for high school students this school year, isn’t the right decision, “At this point in the pandemic, I think it is clear, the system just can’t endure further changes. So changing the system again in May, we believe would be a huge strain on everyone in the system at the end of the school year in the immediate horizon. ”
High school students were scheduled to return to full time in class learning on April 12th.
With a rising number of cases in the province, Public Health announced on April 10th, it would be delayed.
