Ontario reportedly considering making virtual learning permanent option
Posted March 25, 2021 9:35 am.
The province’s elementary teachers’ union is responding to reports the Ford government is looking at making virtual learning permanent.
ETFO president Sam Hammond says the plan is an attack on public education and will divert funds to private companies.
He says the plan will also negatively affect students by increasing inequities, and lowering standards in schools.
“The move to virtual learning was never intended to be permanent; it was a temporary measure intended to deliver emergency instruction during a global health crisis. But this was never the Ford government’s plan. It’s now clear that, throughout the pandemic, they’ve been working on a virtual learning plan that will divert funds from publicly funded education to private companies,” says Hammond.
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As early as this September virtual learning could reportedly become a permanent fixture in Ontario schools.
According to a document from the Ministry of Education, obtained by the Globe and Mail, the government is considering legislation that would make remote learning a permanent option for school boards in the province.
If the legislation is passed, it would mean families would have the option to enroll their children in full-time virtual learning moving forward.
Asked if remote learning will be a permanent option for students and parents, Stephen Lecce was non-committal.
“Right now we’re consulting with a variety of partners in education to get their perspective about how we could potentially create a system that is safe but provides parents the choice.”
Asked if remote learning will be a permanent option for students and parents, Lecce says “Right now were consulting with a variety of partners in education to get their perspective about how we could potentially create a system that is safe but provides parents the choice”
— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) March 25, 2021
Liberal Leader John Fraser said “that’s just spin” when asked about Lecce defending the lack of increased spending.
This would also mean things like snow days would most likely become a thing of the past, as schools would have the ability to pivot to in-person lessons should they need to.
The province’s 2020-21 back-to-school plan offered parents the choice to put their children in remote or in-person learning.
Approximately 20 percent of students in the province enrolled in virtual learning for the current school year.
