Parents and educators discussed the challenges of teaching children in the face of COVID-19 in a virtual meeting Wednesday night.
Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky of the NDP hosted a Facebook Live town hall meeting to discuss public education and the pitfalls generated by the pandemic, which have included increased mental health issues and concerns from educator unions about work conditions.
Among those who joined Gretzky for the meeting were Mario Spagnuolo, president of the Greater Essex ETFO (Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario); Erin Roy, president of the Greater Essex OSSTF (Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation); Maya Mikhael, a student at Assumption Catholic High School in Windsor; and MPP Marit Stiles of Davenport.
Stiles, the NDP's education critic, said that despite the Ford government's assurances that schools are safe and steps have been taken to improve the learning conditions now facing Ontario's schoolchildren, she thinks it's not enough.
"The Ford government has done the least possible to support education in this very difficult time," said Stiles. "I think if you look at what impacts the most people, anytime, it's healthcare and it's education. The government failed to put kids and their education first. They cheaped out."
Spagnuolo said that while educators are going above and beyond in very difficult circumstances, it did not have to end up this way.
"School boards across the province have been forced once again to close in-person learning to protect students, educators, and their families, and there could have been a better way," said Spagnuolo, adding that the government has not had adequate discussions with school boards and teacher unions.
Mikhael added that the consensus among her classmates as far as remote learning is concerned is the toll on students' mental health.
"I felt it, my friends felt it, and I genuinely believe that teenagers across the province are mentally exhausted and tired of the situation we are in, and the government is not helping it," said Mikhael.
Mikhael has asked the government to create a province-wide council of students to give input on mental health issues generated by the pandemic, adding that the likelihood of students suffering from anxiety, depression, and having suicidal thoughts has risen significantly.
The town hall meeting can be seen in its entirety on Gretzky's official Facebook page.