School boards across the province are bracing for the total solar eclipse that will grace Canadian skies in early April. Several school boards are considering closing while others argue it could be a learning opportunity for students.Students in London, England observed a solar eclipse in 2015, wearing protective eyewear. Schools across southern Quebec and Ontario are comtemplating closing for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
Although people can safely observe the eclipse by wearing special glasses, school boards say the timing of the eclipse — around 3:30 p.m. ET — means students will be on their way home from class, unsupervised and may not take the precautions needed to safely view it. As the owner of a daycare in the area, she says she understands the challenges of monitoring younger children during such an event.
"The eclipse begins just as your elementary schools are letting out, which means kids would normally be lining up for the buses," said Chou. "We evolved under the sun, so our eyes are adapted to an environment with sunlight. The problem is that when an eclipse occurs we look at the sun deliberately," said Chou.Chou says some people are more vulnerable to eye injury during the eclipse depending on the weather, a person's age or medication. He says children often have larger pupils, making them "a little bit more susceptible to damage.
The ministry said school boards will also issue information leaflets prepared by public health when they become available regarding the eclipse.