Ford government releases thin back-to-school plan
On August 3rd, the Ford government finally released it’s version of a back-to-school plan. With just weeks to go until students return to in-person learning, Ford’s plan is months late and millions of dollars short of what’s needed. It failed to cap class sizes at safer, smaller levels and it is light on any measures to ensure eligible students and staff get vaccinated, as well as steps to help with kids’ academic and emotional recovery after a challenging year. COVID-management protocols were listed as ‘forthcoming’ and clear guidance on ventilation was also not available at the time the plan was publicly released.
What did it include? (as summarized by CBC News:)
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Students from Grade 1 to 12 are required to wear masks indoors (with exceptions such as low-contact physical activity and during eating). Some boards, including the TDSB and TCDSB, have extended this to kindergarten.
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Staff and students must screen themselves every day using the tool provided by the province, although in some cases schools may be directed to do enhanced screening.
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School boards are expected to have all ventilation systems inspected and in good condition before the start of school year.
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School boards without mechanical ventilation (those that rely on windows to bring in fresh air) are expected to place standalone high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter units in all classrooms.
Read the government’s back-to-school document here.
Read my statement as Education Critic.
I continue to call for the government to deliver smaller class sizes, more in-school supports for mental health and wellbeing, full support for enhanced ventilation systems, clear guidance for parents and school staff and a real plan to ensure everyone eligible can receive the protection of a vaccine.
Mandatory vaccination for health and education workers
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath confirmed last week that our caucus fully supports mandatory vaccination in health care and education, based on science and public health priorities. In order to protect the health and safety of the most vulnerable among us: seniors, people with disabilities, people who are sick, and children who can’t yet get their vaccines - the government must step up to ensure these sectors require vaccination.
At the same time, we need to ensure that we are identifying barriers facing people who have yet to be vaccinated and do the work to reach them.
So far, the Ford government has rejected this position, along with any plan for vaccine certificates, leaving businesses, organizations and individuals on their own to manage higher-risk indoor and group settings.
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