Returning to School in the English Education System in Uncertain Times

The sudden and widespread occurrence of COVID-19 has pointed out the great disparities across the province of Québec, such as the different situations between the cities and the regions, and also between sectors of the population within these settings. These differences have resulted in different policy decisions, such as when—or whether—to reopen schools, and we commend the Minister for applying local solutions to local situations. We hope this strategy will continue during the uncertainty that will apply to the probable second wave of the pandemic predicted for the Fall, and we welcome the possibility of different scenarios proposed in the working document on resumption of school for all in September. An unwelcome result of the rapidly changing situation and the need for quick decisions is the appearance of hasty, spontaneous decisions that are not conveyed appropriately to the educational partners who must respond to them. Policy -makers can react quickly. Systems can not. Announcing a policy then modifying or reversing it causes stress and confusion, especially when those who must implement the policy—including principals and teachers—feel excluded from the process.