About one-third of B.C. students return to schools, minister says hybrid system likely to continue in fall

It’s been so far, so good on the first week back to public schools in B.C.

Education Minister Rob Fleming told a news conference, about 60,000 children were in classes Monday in the province’s 60 school districts, on the first day of the return of optional, part-time, in-class learning.

He said an equal number are expected today for the other half of the class, meaning about a third of all students are utilizing the option.

“We hope the June restart is part of helping us have an even a stronger start to school in September,” Fleming said outside a Victoria middle school. “We know a lot of students have struggled at home, solely based on remote online learning. I know teachers have done incredibly innovative things to make learning fun and engaging, but a lot of kids have missed in class instruction and there really is no substitution for that.”

At the high end were Grade 6 students at 48 per cent of expected enrolment, while Grade 12 students were at the low end with 14 per cent.

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The minister said some parents with kids currently at home are now considering sending them to schools after approving of the set-up and system.

“It’s an option for parents,” Fleming said. “We respect whatever choice they make, whether it’s to return their kids to school or not. I know from day one yesterday we’re already hearing from some parents who maybe thought they wouldn’t return to school, are now displaying some interest.

Any parents in that situation should contact their school.

Fleming said about 90 per cent of teachers are returning to schools with the other 10 per cent given approval to continue working at their homes or offsite.

The minster expects the hybrid approach of in-class and online learning will be needed in September until there is a vaccine.

“We have to prepare for a second wave in B.C. We have to prepare to be able to move forward as we did Monday, and move backwards when we get into the fall and winter. It’s really hard to tell.”

Fleming expects the decision on the school plan to be made in late August.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry expects there will very likely be a hybrid model, but it will look different than now.

“I fully expect all children will be back in some sort of classroom environment come September,” said Henry.

The minister also said the provincial government is considering adding a black history component to the curriculum at the request of the B.C. Black History Association.

“A lot of students are coming back and are interested in talking about current events including what we’re seeing in the United States right now, including the demonstrations and solidarity we’ve seen in Canada,” Fleming said. “I’ve written to the B.C. Black History Association to make this a teachable moment, and how we can strengthen the curriculum ties to learn about the multi-cultural history and the black history in British Columbia.”

Black History Month is celebrated every February.