Staffing challenges force some classes to switch to online learning

One day in after an extended holiday break and some Calgary schools have already transitioned to online learning due to staffing shortages.

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) says two schools transitioned a total of five classes to online learning after there were 681 vacant teaching positions with 208 of those unfilled in the morning.

“We are doing everything immediately possible to remain open for in-person learning, including moving principals and other school-based staff into the classroom, and redeploying learning strategists and area personnel to assist schools in covering unfilled vacancies,” the CBE said in a statement.

“The use of positions like principals and learning strategists can be applied for emergent, short-term time periods, but are otherwise not sustainable for individual schools on an ongoing basis in order to uphold our high standards for teaching and learning.”

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The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) also faced staffing challenges, with 276 vacancies. About 80 per cent of these positions were filled by guest employees and 20 per cent were filled by CCSD employees being reallocated.

Alberta’s infection rate is at an all time high which is contributing to the slight rise in absences. The province’s high positivity rate is expected to cause more classes to shift to online learning.

“Right now, with the return to school at the time of high transmission, there will be occasions where individual schools and individual classes will need to move online simply for operational reasons,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The CBE says the decision to transition kids to online learning will be based on staff availability and student absentee rates.

“All moves to at-home learning for entire schools or school authorities require approval or direction from the Minister of Education. Decisions to move individual classes or multiple classes within a school will be decided by CBE Administration.”

The province has enhanced safety measures in schools which include providing medical-grade masks and rapid testing kits for students and school-based staff.

These shipments are expected to be delivered directly to schools this week.