TORONTO, Ont. - It remains unclear when and if Ontario students will return to the classroom this year but the provincial government will be providing online learning options for families next September.
During a media briefing from Queen’s Park on Tuesday, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said the province will continue to follow the advice of Ontario’s top doctor when it comes to permitting students to return to schools.
“I know for so many people in the province, we want to get kids in school. But the fact of the matter is the chief medical officer of health’s advice hasn’t changed to the government,” Lecce said. “When we get updated advice, I assure parents and families, you will know it.”
Lecce added the advice is based on the precarious situation the province still finds itself in, with hospitals at capacity, record numbers of intensive care unit admissions, and ongoing community transmission.
Students across the province have been learning at home since April 12 when the province announced all publically funded and private schools will be closed to in-person learning indefinitely.
Local school boards had already been utilizing online learning since March 1 when the district was seeing a surge of daily COVID-19 cases, including several school outbreaks.
Dr. Janet DeMille, medical officer of Health with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, gave the green light for local school boards to return to in-person learning following the April break, but that was overruled by the provincial decision to return all Ontario students to online learning.
When asked if the provincial government would consider utilizing a regional approach to allow health units experiencing fewer COVID-19 cases to return to in-person learning, Lecce reiterated that the advice of the chief medical officer of health has not changed.
While it remains uncertain when or if students will return to the classroom this academic year, next September virtual learning options will remain available.
Lecce announced on Tuesday an investment of $1.6 billion for schools to respond to the pandemic, including technology funding, mental health supports, and support for learning recovery and renewal.
“Part of today’s announcement is a recognition that we have a responsibility to plan ahead for September. That is why we unveiled a plan that preserves choice for families for virtual learning and in-class,” Lecce said.
“The truth is, parents want the choice for this September. We are ensuring every board in Ontario will provide that choice, a virtual learning experience. And we are providing parents more time to make that choice.”
The province is also investing $85.5 million to support learning recovery and renewal programs.
Lecce said the pandemic has been challenging for students, who have been experiencing adverse affects on reading and math skills, as well as issues with mental health.
The funding will support programs to assist students with reading and math skills and student re-engagement.
A partnership with School Mental Health Ontario will also provide additional teaching resources for educators and summer learning and special education supports.
Of the $1.6 billion, $59 million will also be used to support special education, mental health, well-being, and equity support, including support for Kids Help Phone.
According to Katherine Hay, president and CEO of Kids Help Phone, since the pandemic began there have been 1.2 million connections made with Ontario youth, more than double compared to the year before.
Hay said many students are dealing with increased stress and anxiety over the virus, as well as isolation at home, loss, grief, body image issues, sexual image issues, and substance abuse.
“In the past year, young people have needed us like never before and the need is not slowing down,” she said. “The top issues this past year included stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, suicide, and self-harm. We conducted almost 1,300 rescues of young people with suicide ideation.”
