School will be cancelled on the Sunshine Coast after spring break, along with all other school districts in the province, but plans are underway to continue providing education during the suspension.
“The Ministry of Education is developing plans in partnership with all districts to ensure the continuity of education. Further information should be available at the beginning of the week after spring break, if not before,” School District No. 46 (SD46) superintendent Patrick Bocking told Coast Reporter following the announcement.
SD46 began its two-week spring break March 16.
Premier John Horgan announced that all school classes would be suspended indefinitely at a media conference on March 17.
Education Minister Rob Fleming, who was also present for the announcement, said planning is underway to provide ongoing education during the period of suspension. Every student will receive a final mark and those who were expected to move ahead to the next grade level, still will.
Eligible students who were expecting to graduate, will still be able to, said Flemming.
Bocking acknowledged that “students planning to graduate this year may feel particularly anxious regarding their next steps. We will develop ways to support them to the best of our ability.”
In terms of daycare, Horgan said the government was taking direction from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry but noted that people need access to child care.
“Families should be ready and trying to make plans” in case the situation changes suddenly, he added.
As for SD46 school board proceedings, Bocking said the board will be reviewing scheduling and other options for continuing the business of governance “in light of this information.”
– With files from Jeff Bell, Times Colonist
