With the rapid increase in positive COVID-19 cases, Ontario government that all schools and child care centres will remain closed until May 1, as a measure to minimize risk of infection to staff and students of all such institutions. The announcement was made in unison by Premier Doug Ford, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
As mentioned in earlier press communications, graduations for any student will not be affected by the emergency measures put in place. An ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Education with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities will ensure that no student will be barred from accessing post-secondary education. School children will receive their report cards at the end of the academic year.
Public schools are estimated to re-open to staff on May 1, and to students on May 4, 2020. Private schools, licensed child care centres and EarlyON programs are scheduled to re-open by April 13, 2020, as the Declaration of Emergency only allows closures to be extended for a period of 14 days at a time.
“We will do whatever it takes to keep students safe from COVID-19 – which is why we have extended the school closure period and why we have unveiled a teacher-led program that keeps students learning while at home,”, said Minister Stephen Lecce.
