S.C. Gov. McMaster says schools should reopen with virtual option, leaving it up to parents to decide what is best for their children.
In a press conference on Wednesday morning, McMaster said schools should consider September 8th, the day after Labor Day, for a first day of class. That’s a few weeks later than schools had planned to begin instruction. The press conference came as districts across the state have been releasing back-to-school plans while coronavirus cases have been on the rise.
McMaster said schools should reopen but parents should be able to decide for themselves to send students to school or to stay home.
“If a parent wants to send their child back to school, they should be able to do so and do so with confidence,” McMaster said. “If parents want to keep the child at home, they should be able to do that and do it with confidence. The district, each district, must allow the parents to make that choice for their children.”
The governor spoke about different reasons why schools should be available. Many schools in rural areas of the state do not have access to the internet in their homes, making it necessary for schools to be available for in-person instruction, McMaster said.
In addition, more than 10,000 students in South Carolina lost contact with teachers, dropping off the radar, when schools closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve learned some frightening things about the impact of isolation and uncertainty on the mental health and emotional stability of the children,” McMaster said.
McMaster said it’s certain that if students don’t return to school in the fall, they’ll fall further behind in learning.
