Ontario’s Education minister detailed plans to help students who’ve been struggling with online learning during the pandemic.
At a press conference in Vaughan on Thursday, Stephen Lecce announced several new programs including $175 million to expand tutoring services to help students who’ve fallen behind.
Stephen Lecce press conference Photo credit: CPAC Screen Grab
“The focus of our plan is on building up those numeracy and literacy skills that we know have faced some elements of regression in many children’s lives,” said Lecce.
The government’s learning recovery program will offer online tutoring in math and french, and allow school boards to offer summer programs.
The province announced $304 million to invest in staffing, including teachers, early childhood educators, and educational assistants.
Nova Shkola Ukrainian Saturday School class Photo credit: Nova Shkola Facebook
Lecce also announced additional support for racialized children who have also been suffering a lot during the pandemic.
“We want to see them succeed, lift up their performance, build their confidence and give them a credible pathway in the school system and the economy once they graduate,” said minister Lecce.
The principal at Nova Shkola Saturday School in Toronto says she’s glad to see Ontario recognize the problems caused by online learning.
“It’s hard to overestimate [the value of] in-person learning,” said Nataliya Halych.
The Humber College alumni is now a student at OISE, and says being a student herself, she finds it more difficult to absorb information online, compared to studying in person.
She says for kids, the problem is much worse.
“Online studying is unacceptable for children because they need to communicate and do stuff together with peers,” said Halych. “Teachers can’t see the progress of the students, as they are hiding behind their laptops with their cameras turned off.
Nova Shkola Ukrainian Saturday School class Photo credit: Nova Shkola Facebook
At her school, students between the ages of 4 and 10-years old study in person. Youth between 11 and 17-years old are studying online and must find ways to motivate themselves at home.
“I believe even in prisons the worst punishment is isolating people in single cameras for a long time,” said Halych. “The effect doubles up when it comes to little kids who are deprived of communication,” she added.
Even with the province investing in traditional classrooms next year, the education ministry will still require school boards to provide the option of remote learning for parents who want that for their children.