Students and families will have the option of continuing online learning next school year.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce confirmed the move Tuesday, stating, “Every board in Ontario will provide that choice, a virtual learning experience, and we’ve asked them to provide more time to parents to make that choice. I think that’s important for families as they look forward to September.”
He did not, however, provide details on whether students will be heading back to class later this school year or even September.
Lecce says the government wants in-class learning to return this spring but stresses they won’t take risks with Ontario children.
“What we heard in the consolation, absolutely clearly, is that parents want that choice for this September because we’re unsure of where this pandemic will take us. I think we all have the sense of hope with vaccines really rolling out in the province, there’s light at the end of this darkness.”
Lecce notes we aren’t there yet as there are too many unknowns and challenges right now including high rates of community-based transmission, stressed ICU capacity, overcrowded hospitals, and “porous” border protections, stating 90% of COVID cases in Ontario right now are variants.
He says the government will continue to follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and his position hasn’t changed.
Lecce also announced more than $1.6 billion in additional relief to help schools respond to COVID-19 and support learning.
Highlights include:
-$59 million in continued special education, mental health, well-being, and equity supports, the highest ever investment (including an annual $10 million investment as part of the GSN)
-$35 million in additional technology funding (including an annual $15 million to support technology such as devices for students in the GSN and $20 million in connectivity supports for remote learning technology)
-$20 million in new funding to support learning recovery and renewal
-$29 million for increased costs related to school operations
-$66 million for enhanced cleaning protocols and other health and safety measures in student transportation
-$86 million for school-focused nurses in public health units and testing
-$384 million in temporary COVID-19 staffing supports.
-Up to $450 million in personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical supplies and equipment, e.g. cleaning supplies provided through the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and the pandemic stockpile; and
-Up to $508 million for school boards to access up to 2 per cent of reserves to support COVID-related expenses.