Ontario schools will not reopen for the remainder of the school year

The Ontario government has announced that the in-person school year is officially cancelled. However, students will continue to finish their semester through online learning.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce also says the government will share a plan on what school will look like when it resumes in September by the end of June. Lecce says he will work with medical and scientific leaders to “re-imagine” sanitary classrooms that will create “educational comfort” by keeping the students safe.

“We will never waver from our commitment to keep your child safe, while learning at home,” Lecce said. “Our plan will ensure students receive the best educational experience, both inside and outside the classroom, during this difficult time.”

When asked about why the province would not test re-opening schools in lesser-contaminated parts of the country Premier Doug Ford said he isn’t willing to take that risk. “Nothing is more important than protecting our kids in this province, bar none over anything,” said Ford. “Today’s announcement gives parents certainty, knowing that their children can continue to learn safely at home and that we have a plan for child care as we work to gradually reopen more of our economy, when it is safe to do so.”

All students from kindergarten to grade 12 will receive report cards. The Premier says they will do everything to ensure the grade 12’s will graduate.

Additionally, daycares and childcare centres will also remain closed, with the exception of those opened for front-line workers. Child care centres can reopen once the province gets to its second stage of reopening.

Ontario schools have been shutdown since March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.