Yellowknife — August 20, 2020
Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders met via videoconference with Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on August 18, 2020 to discuss school readiness and response protocols for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, education bodies are taking proactive measures to mitigate any potential associated health risks in schools by implementing the directives prescribed by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) in the guidance document Interim Outbreak Response Protocol - Interim Guidance for the Northwest Territories.
The document outlines comprehensive requirements using the following outbreak prevention and exposure control measures:
· Physical Distancing
· Engineering Controls
· Administrative Controls
· Infection Prevention and Control Prevention
· Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All 49 schools in the NWT have had their detailed risk assessment and exposure plans for reopening approved by the OCPHO.
Quotes:
“As we head into the fall and schools start to re-open, the health and safety of our students and educators are at the forefront of our priorities. We have worked with the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer and education bodies to ensure that every school is implementing best-practices based on the most up to date research, in order to create positive learning environments in which students and staff can feel safe.”
-R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
“All Education Bodies worked diligently through the summer to produce Reopening Plans for all NWT students. Schools will reopen and principals and staff will be prepared to welcome students safely. We thank students, parents and staff for their patience and ask for their continued support as we welcome them back. Thank you to the OCPHO and ECE for their guidance and support. Stay healthy, everyone!”
-Simon Cloutier, CSFTNO representing all Education Leaders
Related links:
· Interim Outbreak Response Protocol – Interim Guidance for the Northwest Territories
· Reopening Schools Safely: Planning for the 2020-2021 School Year
· Reopening Schools Safely: 2020-2021 COVID-19 School Planning
· OCPHO Backgrounder: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Children and the Re-Opening of Schools
Media Inquiries:
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories