NDP readies back-to-school support list

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This article was published 27/07/2021 (1559 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Before the provincial government unveils its back-to-school plan next week, the Opposition NDP has prepped a list of items it wants addressed in the lead-up to return to classes.

“It’s a call to action and it’s a reminder that we still have time to ensure we have a safe return to school,” NDP Leader Wab Kinew said Tuesday at a news conference with parents, students, teachers and members of his caucus outside Riverview School in Winnipeg.

The New Democrats want to see Manitoba schools get vaccine clinics, more mental health supports, more staff to allow for smaller class sizes, improved ventilation standards, and paid sick leave.

“How about, for a change, we have this (Progressive Conservative) government focus on the kids and focus on the people of Manitoba,” Kinew said.

The provincial government said it would unveil a full plan in early August for a return to school based on Manitoba’s progress on key COVID-19 pandemic milestones and public health advice.

“Our goal for the upcoming school year is a return to full-time in-class learning, while ensuring the fundamental public health measures and contingency plans are in place,” Education Minister Cliff Cullen said in a prepared statement Tuesday.

“Manitobans can be assured students, teachers, and staff will have the supports needed for a successful and safe return to the classroom.”

Some of the five items on the NDP back-to-school list are being addressed, according to the minister’s statement.

“Student and staff mental health and well-being, as well as addressing learning impacts from the pandemic, will be key areas of focus as we’ve allocated $58 million for the (coming) school year. A comprehensive vaccine promotion and outreach campaign, as well as guidance for ventilation, are part of the plan.”

Kathy Heppner isn’t convinced. She and other parents she’s spoken to are worried about what their children will return to in the fall.

“Some of the concerns are the fact that there are positions being cut in my children’s school,” Heppner said. “Clinicians are no longer being brought in. They’re making cuts and there are going to be less teachers and (educational assistants).”

Music teacher Nicole Lafrenière said she’s seen the pandemic take a toll on the mental health of students and staff.

“Kids are struggling with anxiety,” Lafrenière said. “Because of cuts the government has now made, there’s a lot of schools that won’t have guidance counsellors or enough staff to help children struggling with anxiety.”

The teacher at École Guyot in Winnipeg is also worried about school HVAC systems and facility air quality during the pandemic.

“We know now that COVID is airborne and the Delta variant and others are quite concerning,” Lafrenière said. “I’m hoping we can do something before September.”

She also wondered aloud why the provincial government isn’t doing more with its share of the federal funding for schools during the pandemic.

“What we’ve been trying to ascertain is where exactly that money is going,” said NDP education critic Nello Altomare. “They say they’re putting forth these investments, but we haven’t seen any examples.”

A spokesman for Cullen said the province invested $12.3 million on ventilation upgrades at eight schools in the last school year, with six new projects worth $9.5 million scheduled for 2021-22.

Manitoba spent $790,000 on ventilation maintenance costs in the last year, the spokesman said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca