EDMONTON — Alberta's education minister has confirmed that students from kindergarten to Grade 12 won't be back for the rest of this school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adriana LaGrange says at home learning will continue, noting that 60,000 electronic devices, including laptops and iPads, have been distributed to students, with priority going to those in need.
She says that officials are now working on three scenarios to run schools starting September.
The first plan would be returning to normal operations, while the second would be bringing students back but with yet-to-be-defined social distancing measures in place.
The third scenario would be continuing keeping students out of schools and learning at home.
LaGrange says she will make her decision based on recommendations of the chief medical officer of health, and couldn't say when she will decide which scenario will be pursued.
Premier Jason Kenney had previously said it was doubtful schools would reopen given that it would take three weeks for them to ramp up operations once given the go-ahead.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2020.
The Canadian Press
