Province Expanding Testing and Funding as More Students Return to Class

By Zahraa Al-khalidi

The Ontario government is providing an additional $381 million as more students return to class as the provincial government announced on Feb. 1. Nine school boards across the province have resumed in-person learning.

The Education Minister says the new funding will provide school boards with more than $1.6 billion to better protect students, staff and families. The funds contain the second instalment of the Safe Return to Class Fund and will help cover the cost of summer learning supports, PPE, improved ventilation, online learning and technological supports and other elements of the return to in-person learning.

“To protect Ontario students and staff, and with the aim of reopening all schools, we have again strengthened our plan with tougher measures and new investments,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “We agree with parents and medical experts that kids need to be learning in class – alongside their friends and teachers – as it is crucial for their mental wellbeing and development. We will continue to follow expert medical advice and work to get all schools open, for children in all regions of our province.”

In addition, the Ministry gave a summary of COVID-19 cases in schools. According to provincial officials, from the start of the school year to December 18th, about 70 percent of school boards reported one or zero cases and Since September, no new cases have been reported in over 99 percent of students with 58 out of 4,828 Ontario schools closing in light of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Here is how the provincial government has allocated the latest funding:

• $64.55 million goes to health and safety funding, including board-funded and transportation-related PPE costs.
• $62 million goes to summer learning supports. A portion of this will be used to repeat the support for students with special education needs to participate in summer programs in 2021.
• $60 million goes to support online learning, including developing digital course content and technological supports.
• $80 million goes to support the purchase of additional devices such as laptops and tablets.
• $50 million is for portable HEPA filters and other immediate options to improve air quality and ventilation.
• $33 million has been set aside for additional measures to support hot spot communities.
• $10 million goes to support the Student Nutrition Program.
• $10 million goes to support student mental health and the implementation of the new School Mental Health Ontario Action Kit.
• $6.45 million goes to support equity initiatives.
• $5 million goes to support student transportation operators.

“We’ll do everything in our power to make sure our schools continue to be safe and healthy places,” Lecce said.