Manitoba students to walk out in protest over COVID safety concerns

Students in Manitoba who will be returning to in-class learning on Monday, are planning a walkout over COVID-19 safety concerns.

A social media group calling themselves MB-Students-for-COVID-Safety says they were inspired after students in New York did their own walkout, to highlight inadequate COVID-19 safety measures and advocate for the choice to learn remotely.

“Our main goal [was] to show the premier and the government that we have a voice, that we care about what is happening in our communities, and that we are not feeling safe in our own schools,” said a spokesperson for the group.

A post on the groups Instagram page says, “we ask Manitoba students from high schools and middle schools to walk out with us this January 17th to protest against the Premier Heather Stefanson and other health, political, and school officials who are making us go back to in-school learning despite the Omicron surge. By doing so we demand a reinstatement of remote learning from these officials.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYrvNlspt94/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

At this time, 22 schools from multiple school divisions are listed on the page as participating in the walk-out. A statement sent to CityNews by the Winnipeg School division says: “We are aware of the student walkout protest that is currently being planned by some students in Winnipeg.

“This protest action is not organized by WSD, however, we support students’ right to peacefully protest and put their education of the democratic process into action. We will monitor the situation on Monday to ensure both participants and non-participants at our schools remain safe.”

RELATED:

• COVID-19 contact notification reduced as Manitoba students go back to class
• Parents, experts mixed about Manitoba students returning to remote learning for one week
• Manitoba changes COVID-19 contact tracing in schools

Cliff Cullen Manitoba’s Minister of education was not available for an interview but issued the following statement about the student-led walkout.

“Students learn best in the classroom, the benefits can’t be understated – from mental and physical health to socialization and support for families. Manitoba schools have done a tremendous amount of work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect our children.”

But the students organizing the walkout say they don’t feel safe and parents sending kids back to the classroom also have mixed emotions.

“I’m nervous but I’m also confident in their school division, they go to LRSD and so far, they have handled it really well, however, my husband is a teacher for a different school division and not everything is the same and that’s the part that makes me nervous about the kids going back. He teaches in the Southern Division and it’s not as smooth and seamless as it is in the city in my opinion,” explained Chasta Neufeld.

The walkout is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, and organizers say social distancing and masks are encouraged for all in attendance.