Montreal, August 24, 2021 â The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) hopes the Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge will adjust his back to school plan in an effort to adequately protect the students and population we serve, our staff and their families while maintaining appropriate educational services.
Our nine English school boards have autonomy to act in the best interest of the health and safety of our students, staff and their families and are currently examining their own back to school plan and policies regarding the COVID 19 pandemic.
âPandemic related health and safety measures should vary depending on the epidemiological situation in each health region. Procedural masks should be worn in all common areas of all schools and centres, including classrooms and in school daycare, where the epidemiological situation warrants. Furthermore, the importance of adequate air quality in classrooms must be assured with appropriate mitigation measures as needed,â said QESBA President Dan Lamoureux.
âClear protocols are required on how to respond to positive cases in schools. These protocols may be different in high schools and adult centres, where students are eligible to be vaccinated, and elementary schools. The Government of QuĂ©bec should authorize the administration of vaccines to anyone born in 2009. We know that the start of the new school year will be another challenging one. Working with our partners, we are working to ensure that our students and staff will return to school in the most secure learning environment concluded the President.
QESBA is the voice of English public education in QuĂ©bec and represents 100,000 students in 340 elementary, high schools, and adult and vocational centres across QueÌbec.