As the number of new coronavirus cases in Quebec increases, the Minister of Provincial Education says there is now an emergency protocol in the school network if the physical fitness crisis forces it to close.
Jean-Fran’ois Roberge said on a Friday that all service centers in the province are in a position for a school to deserve to close and transfer to online learning.
“Obviously, we need those protocols implemented as little as possible,” he said, adding that Quebecers will have to adhere to public fitness rules to restrict the spread of the new coronavirus in schools.
The plan comes when more than 500 cases were reported in 272 schools on Friday.
The province reports that to date 189 categories have been closed in the personal and public formula due to COVID-19, the disease through the virus.
READ ALSO: Quebec warns that schools can close in a region that fits the higher risk
The latest statistics show 54 new infections and 25 other schools with instances in Quebec up to the previous day.
There are few main points in the emergency protocol for schools, however, the government says it has taken into account several factors, adding the provision of schoolchildren with disabilities and the provision of fabrics for young people to adapt to distance education.
[Subscribe to our Health IQ newsletter for coronavirus updates]
On the occasion of a closure, the Ministry of Education has 200,000 laptops and electronics in reserve.
The back-to-school plan lately allows online learning features for academics with medical exemptions or for a new coronavirus outbreak.
Roberge’s announcement comes when one of Montreal’s best schools has already temporarily closed and suspended learning after 15 cases of COVID-19 were reported.
A number one school in Quebec City is also a major screening operation this week amid a virus outbreak.
The president of the Provincial Association of Teachers of Quebec wonders whether Roberge’s assertion that schools are prepared for distance education is true.
Heidi Yetman said teachers had earned 3 days of education in case they had to take their courses online.
“My fear is that teachers will feel defeated by this new way of delivering the program and I’m sure they have the training,” he said.
READ ALSO: Quebec might not have to offer online learning to all academics yet, court rules
Although the government has laptops in reserve, Yetman said he was also involved in there were many barriers to coming, such as making sure all academics have access to online learning and the right offer for teachers.
Caroline Phaneuf, director of the parents committee of the English-Montreal School Board, has questions about emergency protocol.
He said he had struggled with distance education in the spring, at the height of the pandemic.
“I see the minister is saying that all schools are ready,” he said. “It remains to be noticed if they’re ready. “
– With By Amanda Jelowicki of Global News