Back-to-school plans cause much doubt and chaos

BY PAUL JUNOR

The release of Ontario-back-school plans on June 23^rd, 2020 and finalization on August 6^th, 2020 has left school boards in a state of confusion and uncertainty. The four teachers’ unions: ETFO, OSSTF, OECTA and AEFO as well as parents groups and opposition members have been critical of the plan. The unions, in a letter dated Thursday, August 13^th, 2020 responded that about $3 billion has to be spent in order to ensure the safe reopening of elementary and secondary schools. They argue that smaller class sizes are needed for K-8 students, and not the stipulated maximum average of 24.5 students per class across each school board and the hiring of extra teachers.

A demonstration was held at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, August 12^th, 2020, which comprised of parents and teacher coalitions. There was the depiction of a mock classroom that dramatized the necessity of smaller class sizes in order to ensure that physical distancing is possible.

In response to the mounting criticism, the Minister of Education, Stephen Leece announced on Thursday, August 12^th, that school boards would be able to access $500 million by dipping into their reserve funds. This would be in addition to the $309 million that they had been promised earlier, of which $60 million and $100 million was for personal protective equipment, and 500 custodians and nurses. $50 million would be spent on upgrading of ventilation systems and $18 million for online learning and students’ safety.

The Ministry of Education released a memorandum on Thursday, August 13^th, 2020 in which it provides additional deals with respect to its reopening plans. It is expected that there is a minimum of 300 minutes of engaged, synchronous (real -time, live) and asynchronous learning. They must be based on: the Ontario curriculum, guided instruction, large and small group learning, synchronous checks -in and asynchronous independent-assigned work. It is expected that teachers are accessible to work with their students during their teaching schedule.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) submitted their plan at a special meeting on August 13^th, 2020. According to the August 16^th issue of The Canadian Press, the TDSB plan that was presented involves the reduction of the average size sizes to 15 students for kindergarten to Grade 3 and 20 students for Grades 4 to Grades 8. This would necessitate hiring 200 extra teachers at a cost of $20 million. In addition, the TDSB’s plans foresee high school students being in class 25% of the time.

The Ministry of Education rejected this plan after TDSB officials met with Ministry personnel on the weekend. As reported in the Toronto Star on Sunday, August 16^th, 2020, the Ministry expected high school students to spend 50% of their time in classrooms and to increase the length of the school day. The TDSB finance committee also met, and the board finalized a new K-12 plan on Tuesday, August 18^th, 2020. It will spend $30 million to hire 366 teachers to reduce class sizes for elementary students.

The four teachers’ unions have threatened to go to the labour relations board because they are concerned that the province’s back-to-school plan violates occupational health and safety standards. They do not believe that students, teachers and school staff should be exposed to unsafe work conditions.

All school boards in the Greater Toronto Area finalized their back-to-school plans. Parents, guardians and caregivers have been informed. They should be aware of start dates, mask/face-covering guidelines, learning models (K-12), and registration procedures for in-person or virtual schooling, bussing schedules, exemption and accommodations rules. There are still many details that need to be ironed out.