New B.C. Education Minister defends ‘robust’ safety protocols in schools

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C.’s new education minister says she’s also anxious about keeping children safe in schools.

On Tuesday, many parents kept their kids at home as part of a one-day protest called “Sick Out.”

RELATED: B.C. families to keep kids home on Tuesday, demand stronger COVID-19 safety measures in schools

Newly-elected Jennifer Whiteside says she has sympathy for parents and teachers but insists the common enemy is COVID-19.

“That is why it is so critical for all of us to be following the directives from Dr. [Bonnie] Henry in order to prevent spread in the community and that is what will protect our schools,” she says.

.@JM_Whiteside says she understands why some parents and teachers are worried, but "We have very robust protocols in place to maintain safety in our schools" and "That is why it is so critical for all of us to be following the directives from Doctor Henry." #bced #bcpoli #COVID19 https://t.co/8FjR3j9Iqu

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) December 2, 2020

She adds that no one wants children ending up in critical care.

“Yes, we are seeing transmission in schools because our schools reflect what’s happening in our communities. The more we see transmission in our communities, the more risk that poses for our schools,” she says.

“Stay home, wear masks if you need to be out in public, keep physical distancing, wash your hands, those are incredibly important measures that every single one of us must do.”

But David Oliver, a dad in West Vancouver, says masks also need to be mandatory.

“There’s a complete discrepancy between running a business and running a school. It makes no sense,” he says.

He says his daughters were students at Caulfield Elementary — one of the first schools to record numerous exposures since classes resumed in September. His daughters are now learning remotely from home.

“Show us. Show parents across the province that the schools are safe. Spend the day with one teacher in one school. If that’s so safe, I’m sure parents will trust and we’ll rebuild that trust,” he adds.

Related articles: 

• ‘Sick Out’ to leave student desks empty in B.C. as fears over COVID-19 in schools grow

• COVID-19 outbreak forces two week closure of Surrey elementary school

• Stressed-out B.C. teachers blame province’s COVID-19 response

• BC Teachers’ Federation continues pushing for masks in classrooms

But Whiteside says the call for a mandatory mask policy is up to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

“Masks are required in very many circumstances in schools, right now,” she says.

“And, of course, everybody associated with schools and in fact, everybody in our community should be following public health advice and wearing masks when you are outside in your in your communities and interacting with people.”

Whiteside says she hopes to continue to hear the experiences of more people in the education sector.