Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centres experience surge in demand

Sun West School Division’s superintendent of technology knew he’d see an increase in demand for student online learning options this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What he didn’t know, was how huge that demand would be.

The division, located in Kenaston, for the last 12 years has run a Distance Learning Centre (DLC) that services students across the province. During a ‘normal’ year, there are roughly 1,100 full-time and between 4,000 and 5,000 part-time DLC students who attend a traditional school, while supplementing their courses with online studies.

This year, however, is no ordinary year.

Darren Gasper, says demand from parents looking for an alternative for their children to brick and mortar schools, has skyrocketed.

“This time of year we would normally get 15 to 20 calls a day in August, as parents are sort of getting ready for the new school year. And I would say just on one day alone, we had 600 inquiries, and we’ve been averaging 200 to 300 inquiries per day in the weeks since the plan (Safe Schools Plan) has been announced.”

He says parents are looking for a different option, and that’s something his staff anticipated to a degree.

“We’ve had to put some caps in place as we are trying to work together with some other school divisions to support them as well,” he said.

Those partnerships include the Regina Public School Division, Sask. Rivers, Prairie Spirit, Lloydminster and North West.

Some additional staff has been hired, but right now budgets are being worked through to see if they can support more students.

At this time, there’s a 300+ waitlist for children from Kindergarten to Grade 6, and another shorter list for students in Grades 7, 8, and 9. Registrations are still being accepted for Grades 10-12.

The content for online courses says Gasper, is exactly what would be delivered in a regular school. Some activities may vary a bit, like science labs. Students, in that case, would do some online interactive work and complete requirements that way.

Tutors are available to answer questions and to help students along the way.

No one from Flex Ed, another online learning centre in Saskatchewan, was available for comment Tuesday, however, a recorded message asked that parents interested in online learning leave a message, and that staff had been experiencing “unprecedented” demand for information in recent days.

Saskatoon’s public school reopening plan indicates that online classes would be available through its online learning centre, however, plans are still being put together for online classes for Kindergarten through Grade 9 students.

Derrick Kuntz, with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division, says online classes have been available for students through their “Cyber School” option since 1999.

Students and parents choosing that option will also receive the full curriculum.

“Online learning will look a little bit different from what we saw from March to June. It will be wholesome learning. It will be curriculum learning, not just supplemental or voluntary…so we will have a full slate of classes covering a full curriculum.”

High school students will have access to teacher support when needed but will be responsible for taking classes and learning on their own.

“It’s at your own pace, your own time. We have teachers to support you on that if you have questions, if you need assistance. There will be assignments and everything will be submitted online.”

Young students will have a more structured environment.

“We will have scheduled time with a teacher, so that might come in a variety of ways. It might be a phone call from a teacher, it might be some sort of virtual video chat.”

Parents from either school division who are interested in exploring online learning options are encouraged to seek out more information on their web pages.