Photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / tomwang. Photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / tomwang.
London

Schools to remain closed until May 4

Ontario schools will remain closed to students until at least May 4.

Based on current advice from the Ontario medical officer of health, the Ministry of Education is planning to allow teachers back in schools on May 1 with students returning on May 4. However, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said they will extend the closure if necessary to protect the health of students and staff.

During a news conference Tuesday, Lecce announced phase two of the online learning program that includes teacher-led learning. The plan includes reconnecting students with their teachers and other school staff.

"We will do whatever it takes to keep students safe from COVID-19 - which is why we have extended the school closure period and why we have unveiled a teacher-led program that keeps students learning while at home," said Minister Lecce. "By providing clarity for parents, enhancing support for students and enabling the teacher-student relationship, we are ensuring our children continue to safely learn - providing some sense of stability and hope for them amid this difficulty."

As part of the Learn at Home program teachers and students will be expected to dedicate hours to learning at home.

-Kindergarten-Grade 3: five hours of work per student/week (focus on literacy and math) -Grades 4-6: five hours of work per student/week (focus on literacy, math, science and social studies) -Grades 7-8: 10 hours of work per student/week (focus on math, literacy, science and social studies) -Grades 9-12: three hours of work per course per week for semestered students; 1.5 hours of work per course per week for non-semestered students (focus on achieving credits/completion/graduation)

Students will receive report cards with grades at the end of the year. However, the government says no student will be at risk of failing because of the crisis.

Students across Ontario have been out of school since March 13 when Lecce announced schools would be closed for two weeks after March Break. The province indicated last week that parents should not expect schools to reopen on April 6 as originally planned.

Private schools, licensed child care centres and EarlyON programs will also remain closed until April 13, according to the Declaration of Emergency, which only allows closures to be extended for one 14-day period at a time.

Read More Local Stories