Sask. Teachers' Federation urges mandatory masks, COVID-19 vaccines for high schools
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) wants mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for eligible students and staff.
Most Regina and Saskatoon elementary schools will require masks for elementary students - but not in high schools - when classes resume in the fall.
“It's a good plan in that it requires masking at all times, in elementary school. We know that our elementary students are vulnerable because they're not eligible for vaccines,” STF president Patrick Maze tells CTV News.
“The high schools not requiring masks and not requiring vaccination — it's a recipe for disaster."
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools encourages staff to get vaccinated; Saskatoon Public Schools also encourages all eligible students, staff and parents/caregivers.
Maze wants COVID-19 vaccination to be a condition of employment for teachers mandated by the province.
“The government could give the direction simply from the top, saying everyone entering our school buildings must be vaccinated,” Maze says.
Manitoba is requiring all educational staff — including teachers, bus drivers and custodial staff — to be fully immunized for COVID-19 by the end of October.
For those unable to get their shots, Manitoba government employees will have to submit testing up to three times per week.
The Saskatoon Teachers Association (STA) approves of school boards deciding their own plans.
“I’m really happy with the plan. I’m proud of our folks, they stood up and did the right thing,” STA President John McGettigan says.
“They’re going to get some friction from both sides of the argument, but I think they’ve found that happy middle and trusted the people who know what they’re talking about when it comes to pandemics.”
McGettigan says it will be a relief for parents of kindergarteners who can now meet their child’s teacher.
“I found it heartbreaking last year that parents couldn’t meet teachers on the first day of school,” McGettigan says.
“This year, parents can come in, with their masks, and meet each other safely.”
Sept. 1 marks the first day of class for most schools in Saskatchewan.
Correction
An earlier headline indicated the STF called the school divisions' plans "a recipe for disaster," when in fact Maze used the phrase specifically to describe high schools not requiring masks and vaccination.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.