Over two dozen Regina Public School teachers will be reassigned to teach online classes in order to meet demand.

Vice Chair of Regina Public Schools, Adam Hicks, says the demand for their eSchool was higher than expected, so as a result, more than 25 teachers will be shifting to online teaching.

Hicks says 2,200 students are registered online, and without additional staff, class sizes would be to big to handle.

“The pupil-teacher ratio, how many students there are per teacher, is close to the 70 mark,” said Hicks. “Which is not manageable and not fair to those students that are trying to get an education in a different way this year, and the teachers need some assistance.”

He says that staff reshuffling is common at the start of every school year, but with COVID-19 prevalent this year, they wanted to be sensitive with who they moved and where.

Hicks says that, while still in the early stages, the eSchool is working rather well.

“It’s not perfect, but our system is up and running and working before almost everyone,” said Hicks. “We’ve heard of a number of school divisions across Canada that don’t even have it up and open for students to even get into it yet.”

Hicks adds that it is important for parents and students to try and think positive heading into the school year, despite all the uncertainty.

“Parents’ reactions will influence their children’s reactions,” said Hicks. “If we want our children to see this as safe and positive, parents’ reactions will help with that. We are doing our absolute best, but we need parents to also help students through this transition.”

The teachers being reassigned online come from 23 different schools including Albert, Arcola, Judge Bryant, Ruth M. Buck, Centennial, Connaught, Coronation Park, Dr. L.M. Hanna, Harbor Landing, W.S. Hawryluk, Wilfred Hunt, Imperial, Henry Janzen, Kitchener, McLurg, Marion McVeety, Elsie Mironuck, Dr. A.E. Perry, Rosemont, Seven Stones, Thomson, and Wilfred Walker.