Keeping Schools Safe and Supporting Learning Recovery
Record-level Support for Mental Health and Learning Recovery Included as Part of a Historic Investment in 2021-22 School Year
Our PC government’s number one priority remains keeping schools safe and supporting learning recovery after a year of global disruption.
That’s why we’re investing more in public education than any government in Ontario history for our third straight year. Under our plan, we are making over $2B in additional resources available, including:
- $1.6 billion in COVID-19 resources,
- $85.5 million plan to support learning recovery, and
- $561 million increase in the Grants for Student Needs (GSN), rising to $25.6 billion.
This includes historic investments in mental health, special education and reading and math recovery, to respond to this generational challenge.
“Our government is investing more in public education than any government in Ontario history,” said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King-Vaughan and Minister of Education. “As we continue to work with the Chief Medical Officer of Health to evaluate the safe resumption of in-class learning, our number-one priority remains safety in the classroom. To deliver on that priority, our government is making more than $1.6 billion available to protect school safety while investing in the long-term success of students with more support for reading, math, mental health, and special education needs.”
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our PC government has made unprecedented investments to support student mental health. For the 2021-2022 school year, over $80 million is projected, which is more than four times the investments made in 2017-18 under the Wynne-Del Duca Liberals.
Hope is on the horizon with increasing access to vaccines, including for all education and child care workers who are currently eligible. While our intent is to ensure students have as normal a school environment as possible — with the provision of extra curriculars and physical education — we know it’s critical to be prepared for all scenarios to respond to whatever path this pandemic takes.
That is why our plan provides $1.6B in entirely provincial funding for the hiring of staff, PPE, additional resources for remote learning technology, and support for student mental health. That includes ensuring all families retain the option this coming September for both in-class and remote learning — a choice that would be denied by the Wynne-Del Duca Liberals and other interests.
In July, the Chief Medical Officer of Health will provide updated and final guidance on school reopening based on the health landscape, however, be assured, Ontario has a plan and is ready.