Manitoba plans for students to return to in-class learning in September

WINNIPEG — The provincial government is planning to have all Manitoba students back in the classroom full-time when school starts back up in the fall.

On Thursday, Education Minister Cliff Cullen said the province's goal is to have all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students return to in-class learning full-time on Sept. 7.

"We have asked school divisions to plan for various scenarios," Cullen said, adding that the province will work with the school divisions over the summer.

"We're optimistic we will get more students vaccinated over the course of the summer. Obviously, we are waiting for approvals for some of the younger students as well."

The minister said for the most part, schools in Manitoba were safe places and with more people being vaccinated, the hope is that will continue into the fall.

He said the government is going to continue to work with public health to determine the protocols that will be needed for the next school year.

Cullen said the province has set aside $5 million for a remote learning support centre for the students who are medically required to not return to in-class learning.

"We think we have about 1,000 of those students that may need that particular service," said Cullen. "We recognize there will be individuals that will have certain challenges. Some of this funding will support mental health and wellness, literacy and numeracy, planning and assessment, student engagement and professional learning."

Cullen said final decisions about what measures will be in place will be announced in August.