Internet problem resolved, says Haggie, but Nain parents remain concerned over kids' education
CBC
Another parent in Nain is sharing her concerns about the effect of poor internet access on her child's education, while Newfoundland and Labrador's education minister says the problem has been addressed.
Tracy Denniston says her son, an honour roll student in Grade 12 at Jens Haven Memorial School, might have to drop out of the academic stream and take general studies courses instead because of problems with online academic courses.
"We've been having some difficulty with his school classes this year because this is the first year that he has been in a CDLI program," she said, referencing the provincial Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation program.
"He's coming home every day with complaints of not being able to get online because the internet is so slow."
On Tuesday, CBC News spoke with Wilma Hay-Jenkins, who said poor internet access at Jens Haven is causing problems for students who are trying to log in to their required online academic courses.
But it's not just the internet that's frustrating parents.
The grades 4-12 school is also short on teachers, which is driving the need for online learning.
Denniston said there hadn't been any problems with her son's education before Grade 12 but this year has been different.
"I'm actually at the point where my husband and I are thinking about switching him over because of the actual stress it's causing him," she said.
"He's smart and has always done well in school and now because of the CDLI program, he can't even get in."
Denniston wants the CDLI program removed entirely and more teachers hired so students can return to in-person academic classes.
Education Minister John Haggie on Thursday defended the CDLI program, claiming the system is "praised across Canada for its ability to deliver."
Haggie also said the school district has contacted its internet service provider and upgraded its service as of Tuesday. He did not provide details on how the internet was upgraded or why it wasn't done before this week.
On Wednesday afternoon, Haggie said, students were logged in on 10 separate computers into CDLI "working perfectly."
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