The new normal for students is going to remain until at least the beginning of the new school year.

This, according to a press release by the department of education this afternoon announcing that in-class learning will remain suspended until September.

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gord Wyant commended teachers and staff, saying that he is pleased with the success he has seen as they adapt to the new way of delivering education.

"When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Saskatchewan, it impacted everyone in the education sector." He said. "We needed to move quickly, and within a matter of weeks a supplemental learning framework was created to provide students with learning opportunities from their homes."

The government quickly formed the Education Response Planning team to work with parents, school divisions and the education community to develop an educational framework that would carry through on students' needs until the end of the school year.

Now that same team is working with those education partners to begin work on what in-class learning may look like this fall, although they admit that the timelines depend on the safety of the students, teachers and staff in the schools.

As for grade 12 students who are graduating this year, Wyant says that he is aware of the importance of the event.

“We know that graduation ceremonies and celebrations are important to so many families, and we extend a warm congratulations to all of Saskatchewan’s Grade 12 students and we wish them the very best in their futures,”

School divisions are working with graduates and staff to consider virtual graduation ceremonies and possible postponements due to the current 10 person gathering limit.

More than 180,000 students are distance learning in the province.