Saskatchewan educational assistants speak out on providing medical care

Educational assistants in Saskatchewan are speaking out about the need for better medical care support in schools. Kinsley Simmons, an eight-year-old with Type 1 diabetes, has experienced multiple episodes of hypoglycemic shock at school due to insufficient medical aid. Her mother, Jennifer Simmons, emphasizes that children with Type 1 diabetes should not be an afterthought in system planning.

CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers’ Steering Committee member Karla Sastaunik reports that a survey of education support workers found a significant disparity in the provision of medical procedures without appropriate training. Sastaunik states that while educational support workers are capable of administering certain medical tasks, they must first receive proper training. CUPE has reached out to the province about this issue but has not received a response.

Sastaunik expresses concern over the workload, which she believes jeopardizes student safety. The Saskatchewan Education Ministry asserts that a coordinated planning process involving school divisions, families, and healthcare professionals is required to support students with medical conditions. However, CUPE insists that a task force comprising education workers, school divisions, and health professionals is necessary to establish safe, consistent standards, clear policies, documentation protocols, training, and worker protections.