As extreme cold sets in, unions say education ministry sending mixed messages on air quality in schools
School administrators say the government is sending mixed messages over ventilation in the classroom after officials said teachers should not open their windows during class to improve air quality.
But amid a deep freeze sweeping through parts of the province, opening windows is a concern for parents, as well as staff who have to balance the comfort of their students and the concern of COVID-19 transmission.
Earlier this year, the government said teachers can open their windows when the CO2 readers — in the classrooms that have them — display a reading higher than 1,500 ppm.
Education Minister Jean-François Roberge’s ministry sent out a news release Friday advising teachers to “partially” open their windows only for short periods during recess or breaks between classes to improve the air quality.
It also clarified that it is acceptable for the levels to exceed 1,500 and even 2,000 ppm in a single reading, but that it’s more important to monitor the average readings over a longer period of time.
“He’s sending mixed messages,” said Heidi Yetman, President of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT).
“This inaction of the government is causing a lot of stress inside the classroom and it’s so unfortunate that this was so mishandled. It’s actually quite unbelievable,” she added.
“Ventilation is key. This has been mishandled from the beginning. There are still classrooms without the CO2 detectors. There are many, many classrooms in the province of Quebec without mechanical ventilation. This should have been fixed a long time ago.”
Sylvain Mallette, head of the Federation autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), also shared concerns about the safety and comfort of students in class during the winter in the pandemic context.
“Since the virus is highly transmissible, how can they ask teachers to manage the temperature and manage the CO2 detectors when one contradicts the other?” he said, meaning that although opening the windows can refresh the air, that’s obviously not possible right now.
If the air quality worsens, some schools will need to install an air exchanger, the province said, adding that those that need them can have them delivered.
With images of kids in winter coats, the unions are hoping they can resolve the issue with the government soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson Airport: police
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year, Peel Regional Police said Wednesday.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
'Enormous sum of money': Actor Hugh Grant settles privacy lawsuit against tabloid
British actor Hugh Grant has settled a lawsuit against the publisher of Rupert Murdoch's tabloid newspaper, The Sun, over claims journalists used private investigators to tap his phone and burgle his house, he said on Wednesday.
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archaeological site in southwest France.
O.J. Simpson was chilling with a beer on a couch before Easter, lawyer says. 2 weeks later he was dead
O.J. Simpson's last robust discussion with his longtime lawyer was just before Easter, at the country club home Simpson leased southwest of the Las Vegas Strip. About a week later, on April 5, a doctor said Simpson was 'transitioning.'
Some of the winners and losers in the 2024 federal budget
With a variety of fiscal and policy measures announced in the federal budget, winners include small businesses and fintech companies while losers include the tobacco industry and Canadian pension funds.
U.K. plan to phase out smoking for good passes first hurdle
The British government's plan for a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever smoking cleared its first hurdle in Parliament on Tuesday despite vocal opposition from within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party.
Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Australian clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says
The father of a boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics in Australia saw no signs of his son’s extremism, a Muslim community leader said on Wednesday as police began arresting suspected rioters who besieged a Sydney church demanding revenge.