Is Manitoba seeing high levels of absenteeism now that in-person school is back?
Manitoba schools officially reopened to in-person learning on Monday following an extended winter break and a week of remote learning.
The Manitoba government said it is taking a phased-in approach with its return-to-school plan in part to give school divisions an opportunity to deal with potential absenteeism brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CTV News Winnipeg reached out to a number of school divisions to find out their absentee numbers for the first day back:
- The Seven Oaks School Divison said 59 teachers and 47 educational assistants were absent, which is a little below normal. The school division said about 16 per cent of students are absent, which is about double the normal amount. According to the superintendent, some students are absent due to hesitancy about returning to school; because they are isolating; or they tested positive on a rapid test;
- The Pembina Trails School Division said 93 per cent of its teachers are at school on Monday. Of those that are away, the division had a 94 per cent fill rate. The Pembina Trails School Division was unable to provide student absentee numbers; and
- The Louis Riel School Division said 85 of its 1,177 teachers were absent Monday. It noted 27 of these absences were COVID-related, which includes positive cases, isolation or symptoms. The division said 2,704 students out of more than 15,645 were away for at least a portion of the day, specifying this was for any reason. It said for context, two years ago before the pandemic, there were 1,982 students away.
- The River East Transcona School Division said it had 38 teachers away sick on Monday, about four per cent of the workforce in the division. It did not have the number of student absences immediately available.
CTV News Winnipeg has reached out to the Winnipeg School Division and St. James-Assiniboia School Division for their numbers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.