Province issues tender for 210,000 masks for schools

As students across Saskatchewan gradually make their way back to the classroom, the Ministry of Education is looking for a company to supply reusable masks by the end of the month.

On Dec. 24, the ministry tendered a request for a company to produce and deliver non-medical masks to each of the province's 27 school divisions and 26 independent schools. Those masks would be in addition to the masks already provided by the divisions.

According to the request, the goal is to select a supplier the ministry and other provincial entities can draw on for masks. The initial request for proposals, set to expire Jan. 14, is for 210,000 masks to be delivered on or before Jan. 29.

That would leave the supplier 15 days to make the deliveries, notes a document added to the request on Dec. 31 with queries from potential bidders.

Students returned to Saskatoon classrooms on Monday. In Regina, classes resumed online, with students expected back in the classroom on Jan. 11.

Masks have been a requirement for all students, staff and visitors in Saskatchewan schools since Nov. 27, with the exemption of when food or beverages are being consumed.

Saskatoon's public division is set to receive 20,650 youth-sized masks and 6,870 for adults, which would include Grades 11-12 and staff. The Catholic division is receiving 16,650 for youth and 4,480 for adults.

Regina's public division will receive 20,600 adult-sized and 5,860 for youth, while Regina Catholic Schools will receive 10,000 adult and 2,650 youth masks.