A two-week remote learning period for Manitoba students grades 7 to 12 begins today.
That means about half of all Manitoba students will be instructed online until Jan. 15, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen explains the decision was based on evidence that older students have a higher incidence of contracting the virus, a larger number of close contacts and are more likely to transmit the virus to others as a result.
Mountain View School Division (MVSD) Superintendent Dan Ward has said the brief remote learning period to start the new year will require a bit of an adjustment for the five smaller high schools in the Division — which had students in-class full time up until now.
Speaking with CKDM before the holiday break, Ward says the DRCSS in Dauphin will have an easier transition to going fully remote, as they’ve already been delivering a blended learning approach in which students attend school only two days a week.
During the first two weeks of 2021, in-class learning will continue for students from kindergarten to grade 6 — and also for students grade 7 and above with special needs.
Students from kindergarten to grade 6 will continue with in-class learning, but have also been provided with an option to learn remotely during the two-week period.
