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
Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza and southern Lebanon on the eve of Oct. 7 anniversary
A new round of airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs late Sunday as Israel intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon in a widening war with Iran-allied militant groups across the region. Palestinian officials said a strike on a mosque in Gaza killed at least 19 people.
Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
The cooking method you need to learn to get excited about vegetables this fall, expert says
'Eat more vegetables,' doctors and dietitians say over and over. But for many people, it’s hard to do, because they aren’t excited about veggies or just don’t like them.
Hurricane Milton is growing stronger as it blows toward Florida's Tampa Bay region
People across Florida were given notice Sunday that Hurricane Milton is intensifying rapidly and will likely be a major hurricane before slamming midweek into the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast.
New Far North hospital moves closer to being built after $1.8B design, build contract awarded
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority and the Government of Ontario have awarded a $1.8 billion fixed-price contract to design, build and finance a new Far North hospital.
Inmate dies following assault at Toronto jail, another prisoner charged
A 54-year-old inmate at the Toronto South Detention Centre has been charged in connection with a deadly jail beating late last week that claimed the life of a 69-year-old prisoner.
Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, dead at 63
Christopher Ciccone, a multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.