Wasiimah Joomun. (Photo: submitted)
In-person, on-campus learning is expected to return to post-secondary institutions in the fall.
During the 2020-21 school year, schools were limited to online learning as they adjusted in response to the virus.
“With the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available to all New Brunswick adults by early summer, we are optimistic that these institutions will be able to offer on-campus instruction safely and successfully during the 2021-22 academic year,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health.
“The virus and its variants must still be taken seriously, however, we realize the pandemic has had negative effects on the mental health and financial stability of students and staff. Permitting a safe return to in-person education with continued adherence to public health measures is in everyone’s best interests.”
The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour continues to work closely with Public Health and post-secondary institutions to promote the safest possible learning experience for students. Each institution is required to have in place a COVID-19 operational plan approved by Public Health.
Executive Director for the New Brunswick Student Alliance, Wasiimah Joomun, says there were some challenges and barriers for distance learning, but there were benefits as well.
“We are just asking institutions to be flexible in the way of delivery for their courses. If international students have made plans not to be on campus for September, or if there are people who are still not very comfortable due to health reasons.”
Joomun believes if institutions are able to be flexible to both in-person and distance learning, there will be more students who choose New Brunswick to further their education.
“If students are seeing that the province is investing in them and listening to what their needs are, they will be more tempted to come here and to really invest here and work for the province. In the long run, I really think it will benefit the province,” Joomun says.
Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder says, “Since post-secondary institutions are academically and administratively independent of government, they will make their own decisions on whether and when to resume in-person learning. They will also remain responsible for implementing their respective COVID-19-related safety protocols, as they were during the 2020-21 academic year.”
