School boards across the Province will offer the choice of virtual learning come September.
That was confirmed by Education Minister Stephen Lecce today as he announced more education funding including funding for student mental health.
“What today’s announcement is about is looking forward to September with the right investment in place – with the Province stepping up with a $1.6 billion resource allocation to help those in our schools and to ensure kids continue to have a choice to online learning,” he said. “And obviously, as the Chief Medical Officer of Health provides advice on the more immediate term, we’ll make sure parents know it.”
The highlights of today’s over $1.6 billion announcements include:
- $59 million in continued special education, mental health, well-being and equity supports, the highest ever investment (including an annual $10 million investment as part of the GSN);
- $35 million in additional technology funding (including an annual $15 million to support technology such as devices for students in the GSN and $20 million in connectivity supports for remote learning technology);
- $20 million in new funding to support learning recovery and renewal;
- $29 million for increased costs related to school operations;
- $66 million for enhanced cleaning protocols and other health and safety measures in student transportation;
- $86 million for school-focused nurses in public health units and testing;
- $384 million in temporary COVID-19 staffing supports;
- Up to $450 million in personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical supplies and equipment, e.g. cleaning supplies provided through the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and the pandemic stockpile; and
- Up to $508 million for school boards to access up to 2 percent of reserves to support COVID-related expenses.
Lecce says any return to in-class learning in Ontario will be made upon the advice of Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams.
Ontario is investing over $1.6B in 2021-22 in targeted #COVID19 resources to support safe in-person learning, including:
-Mental health & well-being
-Remote learning
-Learning Recovery
-Enhanced health & safety measures
-Increased staffing#KeepingKidsSafe https://t.co/gjzBlnVg3J— Billy Pang (@Billy__Pang) May 4, 2021