In an effort to “save the summer,” students will finish the school year at home.
Premier Doug Ford, flanked by Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Health Minister Christine Elliott, announced Wednesday afternoon that schools in Ontario will remain closed for the rest of the school year.
“At a time when our top priority is putting the third wave behind us so that we can safely enter Step One of our Roadmap to Reopen, we can’t risk increased cases and potential downstream impacts on hospitals and ICUs,” said Premier Ford. “Making this tough decision now will allow kids to safely enjoy camps and outdoor activities this summer, and a safe return to school in September.”
Most students, with the exception of some special needs students, have been taking classes online since mid-April as COVID-19 cases soared during the height of the third wave.
While both Ford and Lecce maintain that classrooms were safe and not a major source of transmission, they say that the insurgence of the B.1.617.2 variant poses a risk to students, teachers, and reaching phase one of the province’s reopening plan.
The Ontario Science Advisory Table estimated the return to school could increase COVID-19 cases in Ontario by between six and 11 per cent. However, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health recommended students return to the classroom.
“For over a year, the Ford government has consistently failed to manage the pandemic by ignoring input from stakeholders, including recommendations from their own science table. This advice included repeated calls for smaller class sizes, improved ventilation, and adequate personal protective equipment for educators,” says Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President Sam Hammond. “They also, negligently, refused to acknowledge schools as primary drivers of COVID-19 transmission. Under false pretenses, Minister Lecce spent nine months insisting schools were safe, without any evidence to confirm this. This government’s utter disregard for the safety of students, educators and other education workers cannot be ignored.”
Ford said he would rather keep the students at home in order to protect the potential for normal summer activities like camps and outdoor sports. He said if the province continues on its current path, he is cautiously optimistic it could go into phase one of its reopening plan prior to June 14.
“We put it forward to Dr. Williams and the health table,” said Ford. “Based on the numbers going down, ICUs going down, positivity rates going down, sure everyone wants it to open up earlier. I am going to rely on Dr. Williams to give us the green light.”
Ford also announced he will be working with all school boards and local health organizations to plan outdoor graduation ceremonies for all grades to give students the opportunity to reconnect with their teachers and friends, outdoors, before the summer break.
Minister Lecce also confirmed all students over the age of 12 and teachers will have the ability to receive both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine before returning to school in September. Vaccinations will not be mandatory for students or teachers.
“The vaccinations work. I encourage people to take them. Do I believe in forcing anyone to take them? No, I don’t. But I’m strongly encouraging everyone to take a vaccine,” said Ford.
Lecce also committed to the return of extra-curricular activities like clubs and sports teams.
There are roughly three weeks left in the current school year.
**with files from Miranda Chant**