B.C. hybrid learning pilot sparks concerns over screen time and supervision

As the new school year begins, Surrey students in Grades 10 to 12 are testing a hybrid learning pilot program — splitting courses 50 per cent in-class and 50 per cent online.

Superintendent Mark Pearmain says the model is designed to balance flexibility with classroom engagement and help prepare youth for a future where hybrid work and learning are increasingly common. “This is not an entire course online,” he emphasized.

But occupational therapist Cris Rowan argues the approach could harm teens by increasing screen time. “It’s not healthy, it’s not effective as a learning tool and it’s addictive,” Rowan told CBC. She says prolonged screen use is linked to rising mental health issues, isolation, and overstimulation among youth, calling instead for “hybrid outdoor school” as a healthier alternative.

The Fraser Health Authority follows Canadian Paediatric Society guidance that children over five should limit recreational screen use to under two hours daily — but little guidance exists for educational use. Surrey schools, facing years of overcrowding, say hybrid learning will free up space in classrooms.

Parents are divided. Local parent council president Anne Whitmore says some students thrive learning from home, where they feel relaxed and safe. But others, she notes, need in-person connection with teachers to stay motivated.

Rowan also raises concerns about supervision. Without teachers present, she says children could be exposed to predators, cyberbullying, or harmful content, placing the burden of oversight on parents. “They can’t be expected to quit their jobs and sit behind their kid while they’re on this screen all day,” she said.

Pearmain stresses that students will still interact directly with teachers both online and in person, and that some online work could be completed in on-campus spaces. “Society is changing and so we really need to make sure our kids are successful in the society they’re entering into,” he said.