Ontario teachers’ unions want government to develop benchmarks for school plan

 

Ontario's four major teachers' unions say they want the government to establish specific benchmarks that would trigger moves to in-person or virtual learning. 

They say that needs to be part of a provincial plan for the safe return of students to in-person classes during the pandemic. 

All students are currently learning online and the government announced on Thursday that schools in southern Ontario will remain closed for in-person classes until Jan. 25. 

The province cited surging rates of COVID-19 for the decision and said it planned to bring in new measures to make schools safer. 

The unions say in a joint statement that the government should use the closure to take action that includes improved ventilation and enhanced sanitation in schools. 

They are also calling for smaller class sizes.