Jewish group says open schools aren’t breaking law

An ultraorthodox Jewish group says its schools aren’t violating a Quebec government decree by staying open and it’s accusing the education minister of using the Hasidic community as a scapegoat. The Quebec government has ordered primary and secondary schools to remain closed and to provide distance learning until at least Jan. 11 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. But the Jewish Hasidic Council of Quebec says its school calendar doesn’t provide for a break in late December or early January and says if it closes schools, the council won’t be able to meet the educational needs of children. The council says the government decree allows students to continue attending classes and says Hasidic students fall into those categories.