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By Chris Brown

The news MHC was waiting for

Expect post-secondary classes in-person this fall, says minister

Mar 19, 2021 | 11:17 AM

Alberta’s minister of advanced education says postsecondary schools should prepare for a return to in-person classes this fall.

Demetrios Nicolaides says that’s based on the progress of the province’s vaccination rollout. The health minister recently said Alberta anticipates every adult Albertan who wants one should get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of June.

“With that in mind, I encourage all post-secondary institutions, students and families to prepare for a full return to on-campus learning this September,” said Nicolaides in a statement.

“As we plan to transition back to in-person learning, the safety of students, staff and faculty will be our top priority. We will be working closely with Alberta Health and our chief medical officer of health, Dr. Hinshaw, to ensure a safe return to campus in September 2021.”

Medicine Hat College says it’s the news they’d been waiting to hear.

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They were already planning for more face-to-face instruction at both the Medicine Hat and Brooks campuses this fall, and “the announcement from the government allows us to consider and implement a far greater range of options. As always, the college will continue to comply with any COVID guidelines that may be in place when classes resume on campus,” reads a release.

“We’re focused on student access, and this allows a far great array of options. While the past year has taught us many things and expanded our capacity to deliver education in new and innovative ways, a shift back to in-person learning is where we want to be for Fall 2021,” says Kevin Shufflebotham, president and CEO.