Community News
Postponing of the March break was intended to limit travel and family gathering
BY PAUL JUNOR
There are many concerns among education stakeholders with respect to what is going to happen as Ontario schools forward to the April school break.
It was back in January when the numbers hit its highest and since then it has plateaued to 2,435 infections as reported on Saturday, March 27th, 2021. For the last seven days, it has averaged 2,094 compared to 1,264. When the province decided to delay March Break, it was hoped that the postponing of it would help to decrease community transmission and result in a lower number of infections.
The rising number of infections has many people wondering whether the April school break should go ahead. Ontario Premier, Doug Ford told CTV News, “I can’t give a direct answer right now. The Education Minister will be keeping a sharp eye on it, as well as the Chief Medical Officer, and myself. To be very frank, I don’t want to predict two weeks out, but we’ll be out here every single day, communicating with the people.”
Ontario Education’s Minister, Stephen Leece informed CTV News that he is waiting on recommendations from Ontario’s top medical doctor, Dr, David Williams before he makes any final decisions about the school break, and at present it is still expected to commence on April 12th. He states, “If that advice changes. I’ll communicate that quickly.”
It is particularly troubling in light of the report on Monday, March 29th, 2021 by the COVID-19 Advisory Table which revealed that new variants of concern (VOC) make up to 67% of all Ontario COVID-19 cases. Currently, there are 2,345 schools which have reported at least one case according to the provincial government website released on Thursday, April 1st, 2021.
On Monday, March 29th, 2021, Premier Ford released a statement; “We see the numbers going up by a rapid speed right now. By the end of the week, we’ll have a clear direction that will give people at least a week to ten days’ notice.”
Education Minister, Stephen Leece stated, “We recognize closures are very difficult for children and we seek to avoid them.” Marti Stiles, which is the NDP critic of education, is supportive of going ahead with the April school break because it is well deserved. She states, “It’s clear we should have given folks a break in March. Now Ford has called into question whether people will get a break at all.” It appears now that the postponing of the March break, which was intended to limit travel and family gathering, did not have the desired effect.
The Globe and Mail reported that Dr. Williams told reporters that a committee which consists of public-health and education officials will make recommendations after examining the latest data on schools. He states, “Things can change pretty quickly on the upswing, and we have seen some paces come back down again as we put some limitations.” The Globe and Mail revealed that an email sent to principals and vice-principals alerted them of the possibility that classes, schools or the entire board be moved to remote learning for some time.
Minister Leece stated, “For students’ mental health and development, and for their learning, students will be in class…exactly where they belong.” He tweeted, “Against third wave and VOC, strong protocols have kept 98.7 % of schools open and 74% without any cases. Students deserve to be in class.”
Data from the government revealed there have been 13,278 school-related cases, which involve 9,936 students and 2,179 staff. Sixty-three schools are currently closed which represent 1,240 out of 4,828 schools, which is approximately 25% of schools.