Ontario’s Education Minister says if the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends school closures be extended even further over COVID-19, then that’s what will happen.

Earlier this week, Stephen Lecce announced the new restart date is May 4th for students.

In an exclusive interview with our newsroom, Lecce says the safety of Ontario’s students is paramount, but the goal is to get back into the schools at some point.

“If we can save some of the school year at the end of the year, should it be saved, I believe parents would like to see their kids finishing their year, even if it’s a couple of weeks of in-class instruction, that can only help with their learning,” he says.

With the extended closure, Lecce announced phase two of their Learn at Home program is starting up next week.

He says he has spoken to all of the boards around the province, including locally, about the teacher-led program and any challenges that may come up.

“I spoke to (Near North Board Chair) Jay Aspin on one of those conference calls just recently, but I think one of our considerations is to make sure that every student, urban and rural, is able to access materials to learn and technology is not a prerequisite to learning in Ontario,” he says. “You print materials for those students that don’t have broadband and get them to their door.”

Lecce says they’ll utilize all educational employees, including school bus drivers if needed, to get learning materials to students who need them.

Meantime, with three of the four major teachers unions having reached tentative contracts and OSSTF back at the bargaining table today, Lecce says it’s welcome news.

“Absolutely, I think what it shows is that we’re continuing to be focused on providing some stability for families, for kids and parents during this process and we’re landing good deals, I think good deals for parents and the taxpayers,” he says. “Our priority through this negotiation has been keeping classroom sizes low, sticking to the one percent on wage and benefits, merit-based hiring, there’s some principles we’ve advanced, protecting full-day kindergarten.”

Here’s the full interview:

 

(File photo: previously submitted)

Filed under: COVID-19, Education Minister Stephen Lecce, Nipissing, north bay