'It's messed up everything': Extended holiday break for Alberta students strains daycares and parents
CTV
This week would have marked the first days back to school for thousands of Alberta students after the holiday break.
This week would have marked the first days back to school for thousands of Alberta students after the holiday break.
The province extended the winder break until Jan. 10 as Omicron cases rapidly rise, leaving many parents and daycare centres in a crunch. School administrators are to use the extra time to add safety measures and better prepare for staffing pressures.
Adriana LaGrange, Alberta's education minister, announced the delayed start less than a week before students were supposed to return to class.
Edmonton father Sunny Panchal and his wife have no one to watch their six-year-old daughter as they work.
"For working parents, it's really difficult," he told CTV News. "It's messed up everything."
Right now, daycare is the only option for the Panchal family. If he can't find a spot for his daughter, he says taking time off from work will be his only option.
"Many parents are in the same situation where I'm standing with my family," he said.
