It will delay March Break for students and teachers for a month, the Ontario government has said. The week-long break, initially planned to take place on March 15-19, will now take place on the 12th week of April. Following the winter holiday break, Ontario schools were moved to remote-only learning as case counts rose.
As case numbers have decreased, the provincial government has steadily allowed students to return to classrooms in recent weeks. Toronto, York and Peel schools are expected to reopen on Feb. 16, while the regions of Durham and Halton will reopen on Monday.
The decision was taken on the basis of medical expert advice, with the understanding that “congregation is a key driver of the spread of COVID-19,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. The province confirmed on Thursday that 236 cases of the B.1.7 variant first found in the U.K. were identified by officials. 3 incidents in South America.
The four teachers’ unions in Ontario “strongly oppose” the government’s decision to delay March Break. In order to keep Ontario families safe, health officials say the delay is appropriate. The new COVID-19 variants are said to be even more transmissible. Teachers and students should live inside their area and stop moving, according to health officials.
For students, teachers, educational staff, and families, this is a much-needed break,”This is a much-needed break for students, teachers, education workers, and families,” The delay should not take the mental health and well-being of those concerned into account, it adds. The postponement of March Break exposes, again, the inadequacies of the health care system, say the groups of teachers.
Source CTV
