Education minister says no need to close the schools as province's comprehensive safety plans are working

BC's education minister says she understands that rising COVID-19 case numbers have parents anxious about potential spread to schools but she believes there's no need to close them because the province's comprehensive safety plans are working.

Jennifer Whiteside says health authorities and school districts are working together to keep students in school because it's important for them to maintain connections there.

But teachers in the Fraser Health region are calling for a hybrid in-class and online learning model as variants rise, and they want masks to be mandatory for all students, not just starting in Grade 4.

Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry has rejected calls to close schools, saying that's where the emotional needs of many students continue to be met.