As the coronavirus has cancelled events and
shut down schools and businesses, many students across Louisiana have been left
wondering whether they would return to campus before the school year ends in
May. After much speculation, Governor John Bel Edwards announced in a press
conference early this week that Louisiana schools will remain closed for the
duration of the academic year. According to 4WWL, the Louisiana State Board of Elementary
and Secondary Education has been pressuring the governor to formally announce
this decision, as it is clear that we are still far from returning to normalcy
in the face of this pandemic.
"It's just not going to work by the time this
is over," said Edwards. "It's just not going to be feasible to resume the
operation of our schools this academic year."
While students may not be physically returning
to schools, they will still continue their academic studies, as planned, until
the end of the school year—through virtual and remote learning efforts. "Education
will continue," said Edwards. "The school year continues. But they are not
going onto the campuses."
This announcement follows the governor's
previous order to close all public schools in mid-March, which was quickly
followed by the closure of private schools and universities, as an effort to
quell the risk of spreading the virus. Governor Edwards's initial order stated
that schools would only stay closed until April 13, but this was later extended
to April 30. This third extension into May should come as no surprise, as
Louisiana is still largely shut down, with the state stay-at-home order still
in effect.
