Gov. Murphy: In-Person NJ Education 'Critical' Amid Coronavirus

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a Monday news conference, made his most emphatic stand yet: He wants in-person education in New Jersey in the fall. He made the statement as he announced that New Jersey has 446 new coronavirus cases and 17 more deaths (you can watch it here, below).

The update comes as the number of cases rose to 179,812 and 13,884 confirmed deaths have been reported. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy said that "every education expert has confirmed that in-person education is critical, and remote learning is only an acceptable substitute when absolutely necessary."

"I believe we must try to include some aspect of in-person education for our children in the fall," he said.

Murphy's stance stands in some contrast with many educators who have become increasingly anxious toward the state's plans to open in the fall.

Many teachers are worried that the state won't be ready, and a number of educators say they won't return, or they've even drawn up wills because they're worried about their health.

School districts are also scrambling to put together plans for in-person learning, and a number of officials say that the cost of acclimating to social distancing will be astronomical.

Murphy said he's empathetic to the districts' concerns, saying "no two districts are alike" in trying to acclimate to in-person learning, but there are "huge gaps between urban and rural."

He said "none of that's easy" when he addressed the issue of quarantining children who are diagnosed with the coronavirus, and he said that the state and districts are working that out.

While he has left open the option of going completely virtual if cases spike, Murphy has issued a list of rules and guidelines for reopening schools this fall amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ School Reopening Rules Amid Coronavirus

New Jersey teachers, meanwhile, have developed what may be considered a strict set of possible ground rules for getting kids back to school in the fall. Read more: NJ Teachers Develop Possible Back-To-School Coronavirus Rules

Murphy said that tens of thousands of students will not be able to connect to remote learning, and can't afford to even have an Internet connection. Remote learning, he said, is easier for affluent communities.

"All of this must be part of our thinking," the governor said.

New Jersey will provide a remote-learning option for schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: NJ To Offer Remote-Learning Option For Schools Amid Coronavirus

Murphy also took to Twitter to re-emphasize his points:

Murphy said the state will be guided by three principles:

• Health and safety of students, families, educators, administrators and staff, all guided by health and safety protocols.
• How to best educate the students
• Ensuring equity for families

Watch Murphy here:

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