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

Ontario schools staying closed

The current school year in Ontario is the latest casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday afternoon that the province's publicly-funded schools will remain closed through the end of the current school year, with an eye toward starting fresh in September.

Appearing alongside Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Minister of Health Christine Elliott at Queen's Park, Ford began by reiterating his commitment to protecting the health and safety of Ontario's students, teachers, and education staff.

"I'm just not going to risk it. This wasn't an easy decision to make, but it was the right decision," said Ford.

The announcement came on the day retail stores across Ontario are being permitted to reopen for walk-in foot traffic, with strict physical distancing guidelines.

Secondary school students who were on track to graduate at the conclusion of this academic year will be allowed to do so. All students will receive final report cards as well.

Lecce said that a plan to safely reopen schools in September will be made public by the end of June. The minister also announced that continued resources will be placed into province-wide learn-at-home initiatives. A seven-point summer learning plan, the most comprehensive of its kind in Ontario history, will ensure that students will be ready to tackle the 2020-2021 academic year.

"Our plan will ensure students receive the best educational experience, both inside and outside the classroom, during this difficult time," said Lecce. "That is why we are strengthening summer learning opportunities, reopening summer day camps, and it is why we will continue to make the case for synchronous, live, and dynamic learning."

Ford also announced Tuesday afternoon that private schools, licenced daycare centres, and EarlyON Centres will remain closed. The province is expected to gradually reopen child care once Stage Two of the three-part reopening plan begins.

Also, Ford announced that overnight summer camps will remain closed, though summer day camps will be allowed to operate in July and August.

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