Why the 2016-17 Saskatchewan school year started before Labour Day

Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 headed back to school across Saskatchewan on Thursday.

However, the students will only be in school for two days before the Labour Day long weekend.

While Saskatchewan’s revised Education Act states that school can start on first day after Labour Day, there is an exception.

According to the act, any year when the statutory holiday occurs on Sept. 5 or later, the education minister can choose to start school during the previous week before the holiday.

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School also started before Labour Day in 2015 when the holiday fell on Sept. 7.

In 2017, Labour Day is Sept. 4, which means school can start right after the long weekend.

The legislation to start school after Labour Day was introduced in 2011 after the Saskatchewan Party promised to make the switch if the party was re-elected.

The amendment to allow for an early start was brought forward in 2014.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan to let school start before Labour Day