Edmonton Public Schools see uptick in teacher, EA absences

Edmonton Public Schools see uptick in teacher, EA absences

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Edmonton Public Schools are seeing an uptick in staff absences as student absenteeism rates also edge up two weeks after the winter break ended.

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Speaking at an Edmonton Public Schools board meeting Tuesday, superintendent Darrel Robertson said the situation isn’t bad compared to the illness rates during the “incredibly challenging” time of November and December. But schools have recently struggled to find replacements for teachers and educational assistants who have to stay home.

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When it comes to educational assistants, who work one-on-one in the classroom with kids with disabilities or additional needs, Robertson said schools grapple with a daily shortage.

“On a good day in supply across the divisions, we would have about 50 unfilled positions for educational assistants,” he said. “Today, I believe we’re at 120.”

He said the shortfall was due to both illnesses and a general lack of supply, and the public school division was working on efforts to increase the number of people available to work.

“Our principals have their work cut out for them on a daily basis as they go to fill those complex assignments and make sure that children are cared for.”

Student absenteeism rates due to illness of any kind, including COVID-19, were up nearly 3.5 per cent across public schools Monday, according to the latest data posted online. That rate hovered around a high of 13 per cent in mid-November, during the peak so far of the current flu season.

Robertson said absenteeism has been creeping up since classes resumed on Jan. 9, starting off below two per cent. One school currently has more than 10 per cent of its students absent due to illness, which means they’re on outbreak status.

He said schools are continuing to encourage parents to keep their children at home when they’re sick and consider wearing a mask. Face coverings continue to be available at schools for students and staff who want them, but they aren’t mandatory.

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