Ontario expects elementary and secondary students to return to in-class learning after the summer break with a full slate of extracurricular activities, Education Minister Stephen Lecce says.
The minister released his government’s Plan to Catch Up on Monday, which calls for a return to more normal learning after two years of pandemic disruptions.
“The last few years have been so difficult on families, on kids, on staff, on all of us,” Lecce said. “It has never been more important that students catch up on their learning with more support for physical and mental health.”
The government is investing in the largest tutoring program in Ontario’s history, a modernized skills-focused curriculum to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow and enhanced mental health supports, he said.
The education minister expects schools to open as planned in September and to stay open to in-class learning throughout the academic year.
“And that includes extracurricular activities like band, sports, field trips and grad ceremonies,” Lecce said.
Lecce said in-class learning is the priority for the entire class year based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.
That caveat raises the possibility that schools could pivot to online learning again if Moore makes that recommendation and the Ontario government agrees to implement it, but Lecce said he is committed to keeping kids in school.
Safety measures including frequent hand washing, improved ventilation, screening policies and free rapid tests will be in place, the government says.
The plan is for mask wearing to remain voluntary.
The provincial government has committed $26.6 billion to the upcoming academic year, an historically high investment.
NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles said the funding has not kept up with the rate of inflation and, as the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario (FAO) has revealed, the government has repeatedly underspent its budget, particularly in education.
Stiles also noted that extracurricular activities in schools are voluntary for teachers and education staff.
“I think if you want to ensure that they’re participating in those things, and doing that work, you have to talk about respecting them,” Stiles said.
Any discussion around turning teachers into essential workers – education contracts expire at the end of August – is nothing more than a bargaining ploy, she said.
“This amounts to a threat,” Stiles said.
Lecce said his government was able to reach deals with education unions two years ago and is willing to do so again.
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