Stephen Lecce assures Ontarians that students will remain in class in person until June
Ontario’s education minister guaranteed Tuesday that students will be in the classroom until the end of June regardless of whether or not the province experiences a spike in COVID-19 infections.
Speaking with CP24 on Tuesday morning, Stephen Lecce said his office’s number one priority is to keep kids in school.
“Our health and safety protocols have been designed by the chief medical officer of health to really to mitigate disruption to keep them in person learning,” he said.
“All this is designed to keep these kids in school from September right to June without disruption with the full learning experience, which includes the clubs and sports.”
The measures Lecce mentions are all part of the province’s back-to-school plan and include protocols already put in place prior to the 2022-2023 school year, including the instalment of additional HEPA filters, enhanced cleaning, self-screening of students and staff and the provision of rapid antigen tests for those who want them.
However, despite being asked multiple times, Lecce would not say if there is a contingency plan in case of either a severe COVID-19 outbreak within a school or if the province experiences a significant rise of infection.
“The chief medical officer of health has designed a program that is really all with the aim of keeping kids in school without disruption that includes more normalcy. I mean, that is the policy commitment of this government after two difficult years for kids.”
He added that if a serious rise in cases happens, it will be the responsibility of local public health units to provide guidance.
“We did this in the spring without impact,” he said. “We were able to demonstrate to families in May and June kids can get back into more normal setting and still remain safe.”
"I assure that they are going to stay in school right to June."
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
For the first time since 2020, students are returning to the classroom in the fall without any COVID-19 restrictions. Masking is a suggestion, not a requirement, and students are being asked to self-assess their symptoms at home rather than fill out a form every day.
The province also changed mandatory self-isolation rules for individuals with COVID-19 last week. Instead of being required to stay home for at least five days when ill, individuals are being encouraged to self-isolate until 24 hours after their symptoms stop.
At that point those individuals, including kids attending school, can resume their social activities—regardless of whether they test positive on a rapid test. Officials are encouraging ill individuals to wear masks for 10 days after they finish their voluntary self-isolation.
Both the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation have expressed concern that allowing potentially contagious kids and educators attend class could cause the virus to spread faster.
“A proper recovery plan that will restore true stability will require the government to stop making changes with no warning, without consultation, with little funding and with insufficient training for staff,” OSSTF President Karen Littlewood said Tuesday.
“Stability also requires the (Doug) Ford government to make real investments in public education, investments that will ensure a robust learning experience in a stable environment with access to the supports and services that students need.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.