B.C. cancels provincial assessments for Grade 10 and 12 students amid COVID-19 staff shortage
British Columbia is cancelling provincial graduation assessments for students in Grades 10 and 12 this month due to staffing shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Education Ministry says the decision to cancel the assessments later this month was difficult but necessary in light of "workforce capacity issues related to COVID-19."
The ministry said it will provide an assessment exemption for those Grade 12 students who are graduating early in the 2021-2022 school year. Post-secondary admissions will not be affected by the cancellation, the province said.
"Ensuring continuity of learning and a successful transition to post-secondary education and skills training for all students is a priority as we navigate the ongoing pandemic challenges," the ministry said in a statement to CTV News.
"We understand that this cancellation may cause uncertainty for students, parents and school staff," the ministry said. "We want to assure everyone that all Grade 12 students will graduate on time, both for early graduation and June graduation, as long as all other graduation requirements are met."
Students who are not graduating early this year will be able to complete their assessments at a later date, currently scheduled for April and June, according to the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.