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Grande Prairie Regional College (Photo: Curtis Galbraith / EverythingGP staff)
Return to school

Alberta colleges, universities should prepare to return to in-person learning in September: Nicolaides

Mar 18, 2021 | 4:25 PM

Alberta’s Advanced Education Minister says all stakeholders in the post-secondary system should prepare for a return to in-person learning this fall.

Amid the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, universities, colleges and polytechnic schools have been mostly delivering lessons and course material remotely for the 2020-21 school year.

Demetrios Nicolaides says schools across Alberta have adapted well to the rapidly changing pandemic to keep all members of the post-secondary community safe.

“I want to express my gratitude to all faculty and staff members for their continued cooperation and hard work in keeping our campuses safe while still supporting students,” said Nicolaides.

“The switch to online learning has not been easy, but our staff and students have all done great work to respond to the pandemic and maintain the quality of our post-secondary system.”

In a statement Thursday, Nicolaides adds with the anticipation that all Albertans over the age of 18 will have received their first dose of vaccine by the end of June, he feels it is safe to plan and expect students, faculty and families can prepare to be back in the classroom in September.

“As we plan to transition back to in-person learning, the safety of students, staff and faculty will be our top priority,” added Nicolaides. “We will be working closely with Alberta Health and our chief medical officer of health, Dr. Hinshaw, to ensure a safe return to campus in September 2021.”