Peter Tabuns MPP, Toronto-Danforth

QUEEN'S PARK — NDP Education critic Marit Stiles released the following statement in response to Education Minister Stephen Lecce's update on some Ontario school boards resuming in-person learning on Feb. 1:
 
"As COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly in our communities, parents and families are anxious to see supports in place to ensure a return to in-person school is done safely, with children and staff given the utmost protection.
 
Minister Lecce announcing a resumption of in-person classes at a number of Ontario school boards without announcing vital safety measures of a 15-student cap on class sizes, better and safer ventilation in classrooms, a comprehensive asymptomatic testing strategy for students and paid sick day for all workers just doesn't cut it.

Many parents and students are eager to see a return to in-person learning, but without proper safety measures from Doug Ford, we're at risk of more illness and future school closures.

Announcing more school returns with zero additional safety measures is a recipe for more illness and further spread of the virus. As Sick Kids and numerous health experts have advised, schools in Ontario must be made safer to curb the spread of the virus. The government must do better to protect our kids and educators."