As more students return to class, the Ontario Government is providing an additional $381 million, through the federal Safe Return to Class Fund, to keep schools safe from COVID-19.
Although transmission in schools has been low, this funding will be used to improve air quality and ventilation in schools, support online learning, promote student mental health and hire additional staff. With this new funding, schools will have been provided with more than $1.6 billion to better protect students, staff, and families.
“It’s been an impressive and continuous improvement for schools and students since last March,” said Hastings and Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp. “Air quality has been a big focus with over 23,000 HEPA filters and 20,000 portable HEPA units, and nearly 3,000 other ventilation devices installed province-wide.”
“To protect Ontario students and staff, and with the aim of reopening all schools, we have again strengthened our plan with tougher measures and new investments,” said Ontario’s education minister Stephen Lecce. “We agree with parents and medical experts that kids need to be learning in class – alongside their friends and teachers – as it is crucial for their mental well-being and development. We will continue to follow expert medical advice and work to get all schools open, for children in all regions of our province.”
The Ontario government says their plan to safely re-open schools draws on the advice of leading health experts and the best available data. Ontario’s chief medical officer of health and leading medical and scientific experts, including the Hospital for Sick Children, support the safe return to in-person learning for students and staff and are encouraged by Ontario’s experience in safely re-opening schools in September.
As of Feb. 1, 2021, more than 520,000 students across Ontario were able to learn in-person. On Feb. 8 an additional 700,000 students will be able to return and on Feb. 16 the final 730,000 students will be able to return. To support their safe return, and on the best advice of experts, Ontario is introducing additional measures to further protect students and staff, including:
- Province wide access to targeted asymptomatic testing for students and staff, using a combination of lab-processed PCR and rapid antigen tests;
- Mandatory masking for students in Grades 1-3, including outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained;
- Enhanced screening of secondary students and staff;
- New guidance discouraging students from congregating before and after school; and,
- Temporary certification of eligible teacher candidates who are set to graduate in 2021 to stabilize staffing levels, following high levels of absenteeism.
“With these enhanced measures, we are making good progress towards a province-wide return to in-person learning, while keeping the safety of children, teachers and schools at the forefront,” said Dr. David Williams, chief medical officer of health. “Moreover, I am pleased to be getting more children back in class, which greatly benefits their development and well-being.”
The Ontario government further states teachers and staff will be provided clear direction to discourage students from congregating and to ensure that all school safety guidance is followed. With the requirements for masking in schools being expanded, parents/guardians are expected to provide masks for their children to attend school each day. To ensure a back-up supply is available if needed, the government of Ontario will be providing an additional 3.5 million masks for students with a high-quality standard.