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Without caps on class sizes, children and families could be at risk: NDP

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Alberta’s Opposition NDP continues to call for caps on class sizes as students returned to school this week, arguing the lack of government-imposed limits could lead to overcrowding that puts children and their families at risk of COVID-19 infection.

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But the provincial government says the NDP’s proposal is “unrealistic” and the province doesn’t have the available resources or staffing needed to cap class sizes at 15 students each.

“By failing to provide schools with the resources they need, this government is putting people in danger,” Opposition Leader Rachel Notley said Thursday in Calgary.

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“Even through the lens of a UCPer, this makes no sense. Having our schools reopen safely is absolutely critical for our economy to recover and, through that, critical for our fiscal health. This is a pennywise, pound-foolish kind of decision on the part of this government.”

Kuldeep Saini, who appeared alongside NDP officials at a news conference, called on the government to take further precautions in its school re-entry plan.

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The 79-year-old man lives with his children and grandchildren in grades 4 and 7, whom he often drops off at school. Saini said he feared he’ll become infected if his grandchildren get sick.

“I am afraid schools (are) reopening without an actual plan,” he said.

“I want to tell the government to invest in protection of schoolchildren and schools so that we may not get any COVID-19 infection.”

Kuldeep Saini, a Calgary grandfather, speaks at a press conference alongside Opposition Leader Rachel Notley on Thursday.
Kuldeep Saini, a Calgary grandfather, speaks at a press conference alongside Opposition Leader Rachel Notley on Thursday. Photo by Azin Ghaffari /Postmedia

On Tuesday, Premier Jason Kenney said his government has accepted COVID-19 infections in schools are inevitable and don’t warrant closing down all classrooms.

“That’s why we’ve put in place a number of protocols based on the scientific advice of our chief medical officer of health in consultation with superintendents and school boards,” he said.

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Meadow Ridge School in Okotoks did not open as planned earlier this week after a staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19.

At Canyon Meadows School in Calgary, the principal, assistant principal and administrative secretary were forced into a 14-day quarantine after someone at the K-5 school tested positive for the virus.

In a statement, a spokesman for Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said it’s clear the NDP is trying to “stoke fear and cause anxiety amongst the general public in an effort to score political points.”

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“All the NDP have done since the beginning of this pandemic is try to undermine public health officials and continuously shift their own narrative to continue raising fear with the public. It’s shameful behaviour that needs to end,” said Colin Aitchison.

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“As the premier and minister have both said numerous times, we remain committed to providing school authorities with the resources they need to ensure a safe and successful school year.”

In a series of 15 recommendations released in July, the NDP called on the government to hire thousands of additional teachers, cap class sizes at 15 students and cover the cost of personal protective equipment in a $1-billion proposed plan for reopening schools.

Hoffman said the government could fill unused classrooms, as well as empty spaces in community association buildings, post-secondary institutions and places of worship to divide classes into smaller groups. The NDP’s plan would see unemployed teachers hired to teach additional classes.

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“Instead of a plan from this government, we’ve heard a lot of excuses,” Hoffman said.

“Schools closed in March and the government’s had six months to work on a plan.”

Education critic Sarah Hoffman speaks at a press conference on Thursday.
Education critic Sarah Hoffman speaks at a press conference on Thursday. Photo by Azin Ghaffari /Postmedia

LaGrange called the NDP proposal “unrealistic.”

“We do not have a pool of tens of thousands of teachers out there waiting to be hired, nor do we have 800 new schools, which would be what would be required to reduce our class sizes in half,” she said during a news conference Wednesday.

She added various school districts in the province are “making those adjustments” to utilize spaces such as libraries and gymnasiums where possible, to allow students to maintain physical distance from one another.

Last weekend, chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw endorsed a public health order that exempts students, staff members and visitors from two-metre spacing requirements in classrooms.

Students aren’t required to wear masks while learning if classrooms are set up to allow for “the greatest possible distance” between seated students and teachers.

Desks, tables and chairs should still be arranged to prevent students who are seated from facing each other, according to the order.

shudes@postmedia.com
Twitter: @SammyHudes

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