COVID-19 outbreaks during the last school year have prompted educators on Shamattawa First Nation to have students repeat the previous year.

Classes were cancelled in November so the school could be used as an alternative isolation centre, and Chief Eric Redhead says the internet in the community was too unreliable for virtual learning.

Similarly, some students at Pimicikamak Cree Nation, also known as Cross Lake, will be repeating the school year.

Education director Greg Halcrow says roughly 55 students who were in Grade 12 last year will repeat a portion of the year and graduate in January.