Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner is calling on the province to have students back in school this September.
Schreiner is pushing the government to develop an in-class full-time model of education and childcare so parents don’t have to choose between their kids and their jobs.
“I recognize that it will take additional investment for the province to do it safely,” said Schreiner.
He stated that the province will have to:
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invest in additional staff such as teachers, childcare providers or education assistants.
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invest in the innovative use of additional space for outdoor educational opportunities such as community centres, portables.
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invest in proper public health measures such as additional staff for cleaning and conducting renovations to existing buildings to make them safer.
“Let’s get innovative and look at the variety of ways in which we can provide full-time learning while also physical distancing,” said Schreiner.
The province told local school boards to prepare three options for school in September: full in-class learning, partial in-class learning and full distance learning. One of the models will be picked province-wide in August.
Schreiner said he’s hearing many concerns from parents who are worried they will have to choose between their job and their child in September if there isn’t a proper childcare plan in place.
“I’m hearing a lot of uncertainly that September is less than two months away and they’re not clear what the plan is and I’m hearing anxiety from some trustees around the province,” said Schreiner.
In an open letter to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, Schreiner says evidence indicates reopening school, having small classes while being creative with learning spaces would be safe.
“Experience from other jurisdictions and a growing body of evidence from health experts suggest that children can safely return to school with the right COVID-19 public health protocols,” Schreiner writes.
He also points to other ramifications of keeping students out of schools.
“At the same time, businesses and working parents are warning of a mass exodus of women from the workforce if children are required to continue distance learning at home,” wrote Schreiner.
“Assuming the COVID-19 infection rate stays low, it is the province’s responsibility to guarantee that young children have a place to go full-time, Monday to Friday through a combination of in-class learning and full-time childcare.”
An at-home learning model, the MPP said, “will be disruptive for everyone.”
Schreiner asked the minister to collaborate with school boards, teachers’ unions and childcare providers to create small group spaces where children can safely learn.
He wrote that it will require new funding for educators and caregivers, as well as the innovative use of outdoor education, community centres, school portables and other space.
“While this is a major challenge, we owe it to parents and children to provide stability and relief,” wrote Schreiner.
He said he’s heard from education leaders across the province expressing the unclarity of the province’s plan.
“They’ve reached out and said it’s unclear what the province’s plan is and whether they’re going to make the investments or provide us with the financial resources to be able to reopen schools in a safe way in the fall,” said Schreiner.
“So let’s have a clear plan. Let’s show some leadership here. Let’s make the investments we need to make to ensure safety but also give certainly to parents and educators.”
