The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) is calling on the Ford government and public health units to immediately prioritize the vaccination of teachers, education workers, and other essential workers, particularly in hot spot public health units, and to move schools in these regions from in-person to virtual learning until this process is complete.
“While a third wave is tearing across the province and new restrictions are being imposed on businesses and other public spaces, the Ford government continues to go against all evidence by insisting that schools are somehow immune to the spread of COVID-19,” says OECTA President Liz Stuart. “This is not only disrespectful of students, teachers, education workers, and their families, it is downright dangerous for all Ontarians.”
Medical experts have repeatedly called on the Ford government to implement stronger health and safety measures in schools, including smaller class sizes to facilitate physical distancing, better ventilation, and widespread testing. Premier Ford and Minister Lecce have promised that more robust protocols are on the way, but they have consistently failed to follow through. As a result, transmission within school buildings is one of the main drivers of the third wave.
OECTA represents 45,000 teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
