Schools in COVID-19 hotspots of Toronto, Peel, York and Ottawa will be availed additional funding of $35 million to recruit more staff, ameliorate cleaning or provide devices for families whose children are being kept at home to learn.
Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the development recently at Queen’s Park.
While making the announcement, Ford said the government has “spared absolutely no expense when it comes to protecting our children and school staff.
“This funding will help provide greater physical distance in classrooms, support small classrooms, and provide more resources for distance learning.”
Education Minister, Stephen Lecce said the Toronto District School Board which is the largest Canada was entitled to almost $9 million that would “allow it” to employ over 120 teachers or 100 more guards, or 11,000 more technological devices.
According to the Ministry, the Catholic Council of Toronto will receive around $3.4 million, the Public Council of Peel almost $5.8 million, the Public Council of York will receive approximately $4.8 million and the Catholic Council of York will receive approximately $2 million.
While reacting to the development, Cathy Abraham, President of the Association of Ontario Public School Boards said: “We appreciate the flexibility to use the funding where boards see the need.
She however said that though there are COVID-19 hot spots and efforts must to be made to slow the spread, “I still like to remind the minister and the ministry that there are still needs across the province.”
