The government of Saskatchewan provided the answers today that staff and students had been looking for since schools closed down on March 20. They announced the 2020-21 school season would go ahead as planned and schools would reopen in fall. 

Prekindergarten to Grade 12 schools will resume in-class learning when the fall term begins, which they said will be as early as September 1. Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordan Wyant promised to have more details on guidelines for the reopening as early as next week. 

“Re-opening schools is a significant milestone for our province, and an important step for families to get back to a new normal,” said Wyant. "Thank you to the teachers and staff for the tremendous job they have done connecting with their students while in-class learning has been suspended.”

Wyant added that this may be the plan as of now, but like most of the government's plans it can be changed based on COVID-19 cases in the province. Saskatchewan has seen its active cases drop to the lowest levels since mid-March this week. 

"While a return to the classroom in the fall is the scenario being planned for," the minister stated in a release, "there will be contingency plans in place in the event that there becomes an elevated transmission risk, and in-class learning cannot resume as planned, either regionally or provincially."

When pressed, Wyant said the contingency plans would depend on just how serious any COVID outbreak might be. It might include continued online learning as well as staggered class times. 

The province has said they will provide direction to all schools through the Education Response Planning Team, which includes representation from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, the Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials and the League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents.

"The Government of Saskatchewan’s priority continues to be the health and safety of students, staff and caregivers," the release said. "The Chief Medical Health Officer will continue providing advice and recommendations as the planning and implementation process takes place."