All students in Saskatchewan have the right to receive a public education, as outlined in The Education Act. This same document states that “Every school shall observe all laws and any regulations with respect to the maintenance of standards concerning sanitation… and communicable diseases.”
Why then, does the government refuse to mandate schools follow the same health and safety protocols as every other industry to prevent the spread of COVID-19? You’ve wisely encouraged and mandated that all businesses and organizations in the province follow the rules of social distancing and PPE for all before being allowed to reopen. Without this mandate, school divisions are forced to create their own health and safety guidelines, resulting in a system where some children and staff in our province may be better protected than others.
Set provincial limits on class sizes to allow for social distancing and easier contact tracing. Mandate PPE for all school staff and encourage students to wear it when possible. Create clear guidelines for staff who work in multiple classrooms/schools, for alternative education options for at-risk people, and for isolating students and families when infected.
Be proactive; treat our school system with the same respect for life as other industries in the province. Please don’t wait until all of Saskatchewan, and especially our children, witness great and unnecessary suffering.
This letter was written with the support of more than 40 parents, caregivers, small business owners, teachers, school staff, and community members across Saskatchewan.
-- Caleb & Elya Lam
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
