Staff shortages, rising absences in pandemic’s 6th wave take a toll on classrooms – CBC

Union leader concerned ‘parents truly don’t know what kind of impact that these staffing shortages are having’

Apr 12, 2022

Schools have struggled with ongoing staff shortages throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But with previous in-school mitigation measures lifted across the country — or soon to be — the current rise in positive cases is once again taking a toll on Canadian classrooms.

Teachers, union leaders and board officials share snapshots of what’s happening, as staff shortages and absences rise amid the sixth wave.

‘Not back to normal in the schools’
Early in the pandemic, some experts warned that enduring COVID-19 would be a marathon, not a sprint. For teachers, it’s been more like a race with the finish line repeatedly pushed further away, according to Joanne Small-Greenall.

Whether people are calling it a sixth wave or not, “it’s here and it’s certainly weighing on us,” said the Grade 5 teacher, who works for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/covid-6thwave-shortages-1.6413168