Still no word when students will be heading back to their schools and end remote learning.
Responding to questioning at Queen’s Park on Monday, Education Minister Stephen Lecce says they’re still looking at the advice received.
“We are obviously broadening the consultation to ensure we get this decision right, to not compromise the incredible hard work and sacrifice that Ontarians have made together to get our case rates down over the past weeks and get our vaccination up in the province of Ontario,” says Lecce.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health, members of the COVID-19 Science table and local medical officers of health have all stated that schools are safe to reopen.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath says it’s time the Premier follow that advice.
“Listen to the advice that they’re receiving and provide the money to every region necessary to open their schools safely,” says Horwath.
Lecce insists they are doing just that.
He notes school boards received a combined $1.6 billion in this current school year and $2 billion in the coming school year.
He adds there was a recent over-half-a-billion-dollar increase in the Grants for Student Needs, a key part of school board funding and $85 million targeting learning supports in summer learning.
Lecce says another $1.6-billion was offered for boards to acquire additional COVID-19 resources.
