[GTranslate]TORONTO – It’s been a troubled school year, which is coming to an end. A year out of every scheme, between distance learning and lessons in presence, with the feeling shared by students, parents and teachers of being under a lead hood called Covid-19. And now Ontario school providers are starting to plan, in many cases, for a regular school return in September. Everyone in the classroom, as they were until a year ago when the pandemic came to change the rules.
The District School Board of Niagara has already announced that virtual classes will officially close at the end of June and that all students will be automatically enrolled in their school ahead of the next school year. “The best place students can learn is in attendance, in their classrooms with their teachers and peers. We look forward to sharing updates in the coming months,” said Niagara Director of Education Warren Hoshizaki.
The decision to bring all his boys back to class, the Niagara School Board has therefore taken it even if the Covid variable remains. “The school board is working with the public health of the Niagara Region and the Ministry of Education to ensure that all safety protocols are in place – added Hoshizaki – the September plans will include the unforeseen in case schools return to remote learning.”
But while the District School Board of Niagara motivates the decision to return to schools with the study’s psychological and academic well-being in attendance, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is planning the return of all its kids to class since the Ministry of Education has already warned that it “does not count on additional funding to address the Covid-19 epidemic.”
“Last year, $1.6 billion was allocated “one-off” but now – it says in the email sent on February 26 to teachers’ unions – school workers must pull the row in the boat and have a cautious approach given the uncertainty of enrollment. “The ministry advised us to plan for the future without taking into account Covid funds – said TDSB spokesman Ryan Bird – this means that we will opt for lessons in presence. The final decision will still be made in April.” But less money also means fewer teachers: the government predicts that the Boards will probably start sending notices of dismissal to many teachers.
Woodbridge College Secondary School was closed last Wednesday and will reopen on March 25. According to the York Region District School Board (YRDSB), 20 cases of Covid-19 have been identified. Students are then taking classes online. There are currently seven schools in the York School Board closed due to the virus, which are part of the 33 closed across the province.
In the last twenty-four cases – 102 students and 22 teachers – have been reported, raising the total to 9,809. Coronavirus outbreaks are currently present in 834 of Ontario’s 4,828 schools.
