School closures bringing added learning challenges to many across Quebec
MONTREAL (CityNews) – Schools across Quebec are closed now until January 11, as part of the province’s new restrictions, bringing increased challenges in the ability to learn.
The announcement made Tuesday, making in home learning mandatory for all students prior to the start of winter break.
“It’s actually a lot harder to focus because you’re in your own space and there’s a lot of things distracting you. I have a computer, I have an Ipad, I have a phone and a lot of people don’t have that type of stuff that I have,” explained Sierra Yu, an eighth grade student.
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Many other students don’t have access to internet or a computer, making the change challenging on parents as well.
“We’ve heard this week that there’s not enough equipment or computers, some people don’t have internet access,” Olivier Drouin, COVID Écoles Quebec.
“Some families are refusing to put their children online for personal reasons and or reasons related to their jobs at home or their ability to schedule their child online,” explained Cheryl Villeneuve, elementary school teacher.
Teachers are concerned for their students and their ability to learn from home if the lockdowns and virtual learning are forced to be extended. Some are also saying the province’s lack of planning during the summer could be to blame.
“It really seems that during the summer, that should have been the time that the ministry and school board were making serious plans about how to address this pandemic, it seems everyone went on vacation and we were left to adapt to last minute decision after last minute decision,” explained Robert Green, a teacher at Westmount High.
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“There is a possibility that the distance learning is going to be extended and if that happens I think the ministry needs to look very seriously at either cancelling the ministry exams or drastically reducing the content.”
According to the education ministry’s latest update about 40 per cent of Quebec schools are dealing with at least one active case of COVID-19.
