More students are in classrooms throughout B.C. that have improved ventilation systems with funding from the federal government, according to final spending reports from school districts.

That familiar September feeling is in the air as thousands of students return to school throughout B.C. this week, anticipating the new school year while looking forward to reconnecting with friends and meeting new teachers. Whether they’re coming back to the school they were at last year, or moving to a new one, it’s an exciting time to embrace the opportunities and challenges the year will bring. 

The following facts provide a snapshot of British Columbia’s kindergarten to Grade 12 education system.

The Ministry of Health, the provincial health officer and the Ministry of Education and Child Care are reminding families of how to stay healthy and reduce the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19, as children return to school and child care.

More than 40 community organizations, rightsholders and Indigenous partners, education partners and students participated in the third Minister’s Community Roundtable on Anti-Racism in Education.

Further pandemic supports are coming for B.C. students and schools, with 300,000 rapid antigen test kits to be delivered in phases.

This week, 200,000 rapid antigen test kits are being shipped to the kindergarten-to-Grade 12 (K-12) sector for use by staff, teachers and administrators with symptoms of COVID-19.

A full return to school for students in kindergarten to Grade 12 will be delayed until Monday, Jan. 10, in order to give public health and B.C. schools additional time to adapt to the impacts of the Omicron variant on communities and schools, and to implement enhanced safety plans to support the continuation of in-class learning.  

In recognition of World Teachers’ Day, nominations are now open for the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education.