TORONTO, ON – Teachers and education workers only learned of the provincial government’s decision to delay school re-opening when it was announced this afternoon. 

Nevertheless, as representatives of those on the front lines in schools – that is, those teaching Ontario students and providing the vital services that support their education – our collective message remains the same: schools can be made safe for students and staff, with sufficient investment in the right tools and measures.

We will continue to call for:

• regular asymptomatic testing in schools 
• robust testing and tracing system
• prioritizing boosters for all staff in schools
• smaller class sizes to increase physical distancing
• improved ventilation
• masking for all staff and students
• adequate PPE for all staff
• a provincial cleaning standard for schools
• more staffing to carry out the additional work that these measures would entail