The Hawaii State Teachers Association is urging Gov. David Ige and the state Department of Education to switch to 100% distance learning for the first quarter of the school year in light of a growing number of COVID-19 cases.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association is urging Gov. David Ige and the state Department of Education to switch to 100% distance learning for the first quarter of the school year in light of a growing number of COVID-19 cases.
In a news conference today, HSTA president Corey Rosenlee said the union’s board of directors unanimously agreed that resuming face-to-face learning on Aug. 17 is unacceptably dangerous for students and faculty and schools should instead resume online learning programs through at least the end of the first quarter, or until it is determined that schools can safely reopen.
“We have to take immediate action to protect the lives of our keiki and teachers,” Rosenlee said, adding that, while online classwork is no replacement for face-to-face learning, it allows learning to still happen while keeping participants safe.
HSTA vice president Osa Tui said some public school teachers are already resigning or requesting leave rather than risk returning to crowded schools, exacerbating the state’s existing teacher shortage.
Rosenlee said the union awaits an official decision by the governor.
Full story to follow in Saturday’s edition of the Tribune-Herald.
