Provincial exams are on for students next week despite the full teachers’ strike.
The B.C. Labour Relations Board has ruled that exams for grades 10-12 students will proceed during the strike and that final marks for Grade 12 students will be submitted, so that graduating students are able to complete their school year and receive final grades. The essential services ruling only addresses final grades for Grade 12 students.
The Delta school district notes that further communication about grades 10-12 exams will come to students from their schools.
Picket lines will be in place throughout the strike, which means support staff that are CUPE members will also not be at work.
The LRB ruling Thursday prevents teachers from picketing in front of entrances designated for students to get to exams.
School buildings will be open but only principals and vice-principals will staff them. That means parents are once again being asked to find alternative childcare arrangements for children in other grades during the full-scale strike.
Strong Start Centres will also be closed and school buses for students with special needs will not be running.
The Delta school district says it will continue to inform parents of any changes or developments in the job action status through school websites and the district website at web.deltasd.bc.ca.
The B.C. Teachers' Federation this week announced that notice has been given for a full-scale strike starting Tuesday. Schools won't be open Monday either as that day as been set as a "study session" by the union.
Teachers voted 86 per cent in favour of escalating job action as they remain far apart from Victoria on wages and class size and composition.
