Some school boards and Edmonton parents have expressed shock, anger and are baffled by the Alberta government’s decision of eliminating mask mandates in schools.
In view of the end to the restriction, Alberta’s education minister said school boards will also lack the authority to adopt their own masking rules — a change from last year.
The development which started Feb. 14, has it that children aged 12 and under will be exempt from all masking requirements. In schools, masking requirements will be lifted for students of all ages.
In the announcement, the government also stated that on March 1, if hospitalization numbers continue to trend down, all remaining provincial school requirements, including cohorting rules, will also be lifted.
However, the announcement prompted calls from parents, teachers and Edmonton’s public-school board to release the evidence that informed the decision as Alberta COVID-19 hospitalizations hover near record highs.
In their remarks, some Edmonton parents said the decision was driven by politics, as the premier wanted to be seen taking a significant step.
It is important to note that mask requirements for children have become deeply divisive, prompting protests in some rural schools, and driving parents to plead with school boards to axe the requirement.
Public health experts are of the view that it is one of several effective strategies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Reports have it that more than a dozen members of the United Conservative Party caucus have long been pushing Premier Jason Kenney for less intrusive public health measures. Kenney, whose popularity has slumped in public opinion polls, faces a party leadership review on April 9.
Critics say ditching the mask mandate ignores lower vaccination rates among school-age children, and that children can transmit it to people who are more vulnerable.
In a swift reaction, chair of the Edmonton public school board, Trisha Estabrooks said trustees were blindsided by the news.
She said “This is too much change, too quickly, and again — no consultation with school boards”.
The chair noted that some families who chose to shift their children back to in-person classes with restrictions in place may feel wronged.
She added that the board will continue to encourage students to wear masks.
Also, Darren Mazutinec, superintendent of Westwind school division in southern Alberta, said there are no pandemic approaches that can please everyone.
Mazutinec said “Whether you mask or unmask, our schools are safe havens. We want our students in schools learning with their teachers, and if they’re comfortable wearing a mask? Perfect. Wear a mask.”
On his part, Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling said with a provincial COVID-19 test positivity rate still at 32 per cent and limitations on who can be tested, the government’s move is premature.
