EDMONTON – Fort McMurray grade 12 students who were supposed to write diploma exams this semester won’t have to do so.
Alberta Education Minister David Eggen said the 900 high school students registered to write diplomas will have have their classroom mark used as their final grade if they choose.
Students still have the option of the writing the exams in the school districts they’re now attending. Those students will have the option to write their exams at the University of Alberta and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology where sites will be setup.
The province said someone will be sent to administer the exam if a student can’t travel to the locations.
“We’re just trying to provide the sense of security and for students and their families to know that we’re looking after them,” Eggen said.
READ MORE: Where Fort McMurray fire evacuees can get help and information
Additionally, the education minister said all Fort McMurray students have the option of not returning to class this school year. If they choose to do so, they’ll receive the mark they had before the evacuation.
Watch Below: Tue, May 10: Dozens of young Fort McMurray evacuees are coping with new schools, on top of everything else, as they begin classes in Calgary this week. But as Mia Sosiak reports, they’re getting lots of support.
Although these policies have been put in place, the province is encouraging students to enroll in their nearest school in order to regain a sense of normalcy and routine.
“We’ve seen really heart warming stories where students have joined the teams in the schools that they’re moving to now,” Eggen said.
WATCH: So far it’s estimated the wildfires have displaced more than 12,000 students. Education Minister David Eggen joined Global News Morning to talk about how the province is encouraging fire evacuees with children to enroll them into schools in their temporary communities.
There are a total of 12,000 students who were forced to evacuate Fort McMurray last week. About 1,900 of those students have registered in an Alberta school since leaving their home.
Eggen said if there is an influx of students in one area, additional support staff will be provided.
“We have a high level of professionalism throughout the province of Alberta with our teachers and support staff, and everybody is rising to the occasion because we care so much about the welfare of our children,” Eggen said.
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