PEI students will have to keep their mask on at least until May 13

This is indicated by the management of the French Language School Board and a press release sent to parents of the Public Schools Branch, the English-speaking network.

Public health on the island nevertheless plans to ease certain measures as of Friday, May 6, the date on which the mask will no longer be required in public places in the province.

As of this date, wearing a mask will only be required on board school buses and when traveling within schools on the island.

Students and staff will therefore be able to remove their masks when seated in class from this date.

” This is a relief for the school community, because there will no longer be whole school days where we would have to keep wearing a mask at all times. »

The easing announced Tuesday by the province was very well received by the community, according to Gilles Arsenault, director of the French language school board.

People are eager to get back to normal with no mask wearing. This is the wish of most people in the community, he adds.

Same story in the English network, according to Norbert Carpenter, the director of this network.

” The Public Schools Branch welcomes this instruction. This will be a very good first step. »

According to him, the obligation to wear a mask has created obstacles to the development of speech and language for young children.

You want to feel like you can speak freely, you want to be able to see another person’s lips when they speakemphasizes Norbert Carpenter.

Pupils and staff in French and English schools will still be able to continue wearing the mask after the easing, if they wish.

We will still encourage those who want to continue to wear the mask permanently.says Gilles Arsenault.

Screening of students three times a week will remain in place until at least May 13 in all schools.

After this date, public health should reassess the measures in place and decide on the instructions that will remain in effect until the end of the school year in June.

Opinions divided among parents

At the Spring Park English school in Charlottetown, the easing of the measures arouses mixed opinions.

Grandmother of a student who attends school, Karen Ross oppose change.

Masks have been proven to control COVID-19 and I see no reason to take them offshe explains, stressing that schools should remain a safe place for children.

Linh Nguyen is the mother of two students at this school. She wants the wearing of the mask to be completely lifted.

It’s easier for kids to talk to their friends and work with their teachershe points out.

Fewer no-shows

According to Gilles Arsenault, absenteeism rates among students and teachers have decreased in the last three weeks.

The school system is regaining its strength, and we are able to function more normally now.he explains.

In some French schools, the number of student absences reached 45% last March due to the increase in cases of COVID-19 on the island.

About 20 teachers could be absent per day during this month due to illness or isolation rules for close contacts.

I think that now we can touch this light at the end of the tunnel, and we will be able to return, during the next school year, to an education model closer to what we had known before 2020.says Gilles Arsenault.

The director of the English school network, Norbert Carpenter hopes that the drop in the rate of absences is a sign that COVID-19 is no longer as prevalent in schools as before.

With information from Steve Bruce, CBCCanadian Broadcasting Corporation