Fort McMurray Schools Reviewing Supports for Students with Complex Needs

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta — Despite a ministerial order directing schools to reassess in-person learning for students with complex needs, Fort McMurray’s public and Catholic school divisions say their current learning plans will remain in place next week, and children with complex needs are being asked to remain at home.

Harvard Media News first reported the news of the Ministerial Order on Wednesday, noting it primarily shifted the responsibility for decisions on in-person learning from the Minister of Education to individual school districts, and does not necessarily mean a return to class for students who were asked to stay home due to inadequate resources or the absence of Educational Assistants. The Ministerial Order follows a court ruling in Edmonton requiring all students to be evaluated fairly when determining access to in-person learning.

Both school divisions say they are carefully reviewing the order and working to determine whether they have the staff and resources to support more students in the classroom. “This fulsome review will take time as we analyze the precise needs of every student,” Fort McMurray Catholic Schools said in an online statement. Still, officials caution that even after this review, they may not have the capacity to safely accommodate all students who require additional support.

The timing of the order has added challenges, as many teachers are currently attending the Teachers’ Convention in Edmonton. This means adjustments to contingency plans may take longer than some families had hoped. In the meantime, students who were previously asked to stay home will continue with remote learning while school officials assess next steps.

Both divisions say they remain committed to following government direction and ensuring students with complex needs receive the support they require. Updates will be shared with families as resource evaluations continue in the coming days.