Coronavirus worries keeping some newcomer language students away from Holland College

Holland College says attendance in its newcomer language programshas taken a major dip in the past few weeks, because students are worriedabout the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the college, theabsenteerate in theprograms is typically five per cent. Since the third week of January, it's grown to13 per cent.Some students haven't been in class for weeks.

"Our students communicate with teachers.They tell us why they're missing time, and they've indicated [coronavirus] isthe reason," saidAllison Doughart, programmanager of community education at Holland College.

"Whether it's because they're scared they may be infected by students that have travelled home from China, whether they have family members that have come back from China that are in their homeandthey don't want to come to class, or maybe they're just generally worried and feeling upset because of what's happening at home."

There havebeen no confirmed cases of coronavirus on P.E.I., and only seven in Canada. Health officials continue to say the public health risk is low for Canada, and for the Island.

Dispelling myths 'challenging'

But Doughartsaidsome students aren't trusting theinformation coming from government.

"They're also getting information from home, and there's a lot of very high emotion right now," she said."So for the classroom teachers trying to dispel myths and explain to students that we do trust our government officials that's been challenging."

Doughart saidroughly600 students from around the world are enrolled in the college's newcomer language programs including students from China.

Canadian health officials have said thosereturning from the centre of the outbreak in Hubei province, China, should be in quarantine for two weeks. Those coming from other areas of China are being told to monitor themselves closely and to call 811 if they develop any symptoms.

Sandy MacDonald, Holland College's president,saidinstructors are doing what they can to accommodate students who are missing class, sending work home to themwhen it's possible.

But he says the 13 per centabsenteeism rate is a concern.

"The whole idea of the language programis to have students come in and work through their literature levels as quickly as possible," said MacDonald.

"So the more you're out of school, the more time you're going to be training in a language, and the less likely you are to get into the labour market as quickly as you'd like to be."

The president said while it's not ideal, if enough students continue missing class because of coronavirusworries, the college may consideroffering them online courses next semester.

Doughart addedthe college has also relaxed its policy of removing students from its language programs, if they miss more than two straight weeks of classes.

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