Ont. education advocacy group urges province to make 'S.M.A.R.T.' goals for schools
An organization that advocates for education policy in Ontario released a list of recommendations for the Ford government Wednesday.
The list made by the group called People for Education includes things it would like to see done while schools are closed for two weeks.
It is in response to Monday's announcement that all schools will return to online learning from Jan. 5 until at least Jan. 17.
Annie Kidder is an education advocate who is the executive director of People for Education.
The organization said in a news release the province "could not provide details as to any plans to ensure schools will be ready to re-open for in-person learning on Jan. 17" and is urging the province to develop 'S.M.A.R.T.' goals, which stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based.
"What we want is for the province to name the goals, what are they going to accomplish in the next two weeks, tell us how they're going to measure those accomplishments and then report to the public on how they're doing," Kidder said in an interview with CTV News Wednesday evening.
One of the goals her group is pushing for "is to prioritize vaccination booster shots for all the education staff so that they're safe in schools."
Another recommendation is to make vaccinations mandatory at school and create on-site vaccination centres at the schools "so that we have more vaccinated five- to 11-year-olds."
It is also recommending that the Ontario government resume COVID-19 data collection involving schools and child care centres and provide enough supplies, such as N95 masks and rapid antigen tests for all students and staff for free by Jan. 14 and ensure HEPA air filtration units are available for every classroom.
"There's a really disproportionate impact on some families and some kids that has to be addressed," Kidder said in regards to safety supplies.
Included in the recommendations is for the province to complete the funding that was promised to school boards last May.
"Last spring, they said 'OK, you know, plan on having half of the funding now and then we'll let you know in the fall, depending on COVID, what more funding you're going to get during the year," Kidder said. "Boards and schools are desperate now, and they have been since the fall. They're still dealing, it is an ongoing emergency."
She said schools need more support for students' mental health and as well as more staff.
Finally, People for Education is recommending the province "convene a COVID Education Advisory Task Force with representatives from health and education to provide advice, input and expertise on next steps for Ontario’s students, educators, and school boards."
Kidder said ideally the task force would involve "principal's organizations, school board directors, parents organizations, students, faculties of education but also health rep experts and representatives."
With files from Brendan Connor, CTV News Northern Ontario anchor
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.