International student numbers down in Powell River

International student totals in School District 47 have dropped since the last school year.

According to an enrolment update at the November 10 school board meeting, the total number of international students in the district is 24. Prior to September 2020, there were four students from China, four students from South Korea, one student from Japan and one student from Madagascar who stayed in Powell River.

During the month of September, students arriving included one from Hong Kong, two from France, four from Taiwan, four from Japan, one from Germany, one from South Korea and one from China. In October 2020, one student returned to China and one student arrived from China.

Superintendent of schools Dr. Jay Yule said the school district was expecting another six or seven students in the second semester. Yule said the incoming students are quarantined for two weeks.

“We’ve had zero issues,” said Yule.

Secretary-treasurer Steve Hopkins said in September of the last school year, there were between 90 and 100 international students in School District 47. He said the average number of international students during the past few years has been close to double what they are this year.