Manitoba teachers calling for return to remote learning in January

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS) is calling for a return to remote learning in January due to rising COVID-19 cases related to the Omicron variant.

James Bedford, president of the MTS, said on Friday the organization sent a request to the province, asking for schools across the province to be placed in Code Red under the province’s pandemic response system, and are hoping for remote learning to take place throughout January.

“We certainly acknowledge the best learning takes place when certified teachers and students are in the classroom, but safety has to take priority here,” Bedford said.

“Remote learning is a challenge, but it is a challenge our members have met before and it’s really about keeping students and their families as safe as possible.”

Bedford said the spread of Omicron in Manitoba is the reason for the request, noting remote learning would help reduce the spread of the variant.

The province previously announced students would not be returning to class until Jan. 10. Most students were scheduled to be back in class by Jan. 6.

Bedford is hoping for a decision from the province soon to allow schools and students an opportunity to prepare for remote learning.

A spokesperson for the Winnipeg School Division said they would follow the guidance of Manitoba Public Health.

“At this time, there is no direction from Public Health to change the school pandemic response level or go into remote learning,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the province said Manitoba Education’s COVID response planning team, which includes MTS and the Winnipeg School Division, is planning for a return to school with the help of public health.

“Current plans are being reviewed and will be shared as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Manitoba Education and Public Health continue to balance the need for structured school settings and the spread of COVID.”