Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce has announced that school boards will be able to invest half a billion in funding to support local priorities aimed at more social distancing in class.
Medical experts have stressed the importance of improved airflow in classrooms too, so the Province will provide $50 million for immediate ventilation and HVAC upgrades.
Finally, the Province is giving parents the chance to give students access to teachers for the entire day – Lecce says from Kindergarten to Grades 12, 225 minutes for live zoom instruction will be mandated for at-home learning.
Lecce says Ontario’s back-to-school plan is a “living document” responding to immediate needs on the ground.
“This means that school boards will be able to access nearly $900 million in targeted, one-time funding to prepare them for a safe return to school,” said Lecce.
Over $100 million is being invested too for custodians ensuring regular cleaning at schools.
Aggressive testing for students will happen too.
500 public health nurses are being hired for that and symptom monitoring.
Going #Live!
Tune in to hear how we are building on our plan – the strongest in Canada – by unlocking $500 million to ensure distancing and improved air quality. #SafeSeptemberON. https://t.co/FALwQWpYn5
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) August 13, 2020
To watch the Education Minister’s full August 13th address, see below.
https://www.cpac.ca/en/direct/cpac3/486352/ontario-update-on-back-to-school-plan/