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home / 世界杯决赛2022

masks will be voluntary when school starts in september, says province

“our government’s 'plan to catch up' is designed to keep students in safe classrooms without disruption"

by postmedia news
published aug 08, 2022
read time 1 minute read
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read time 1 minute read
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ontario education minister stephen lecce takes his mask off before answering questions at queen's park in toronto on wednesday, june 2, 2021. nathan denette / the canadian press
by: joanne laucius face masks will be optional for students when school starts in september, ontario’s education minister said monday.
leading medical experts including the children’s health coalition and medical officers of health were consulted in developing the 2022-23 health and safety measures in schools protocol, education minister stephen lecce said in a statement on monday.
lecce’s statement came after the toronto star reported that a memo from deputy minister nancy naylor urged school boards and schools to “actively promote respectful, welcoming and inclusive environments for individuals who choose to wear, or not to wear a mask within their school communities.”
in his statement, lecce said most health and safety requirements, including the voluntary use of masks, remains unchanged from previous direction provided at the end of the school year, on the advice of ontario chief medical officer of health dr. kieran moore.
school boards will continue to have access to rapid antigen tests to be used in accordance with provincial testing guidance, said lecce.  
“our government’s plan to catch up is designed to keep students in safe classrooms without disruption, which is why we followed the expert advice of ontario’s chief medical officer of health, as kids return to class this september.”
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the provincial government’s plan, released july 25, includes the return of clubs, sports, and extra curriculars. last month, lecce had signalled that he expects students to return for a normal learning experience.
“that starts with being in class, on time, with the full school experience coupled with historic mental health and tutoring supports,” said lecce on monday.
the news comes as the province is in contract negotiations with education unions.
a spokesperson for the ontario elementary teachers’ federation, which represents 83,000 public elementary teachers, occasional teachers and other education workers, said the federation is headed into its annual general meeting next week and does not have a position on the matter at this time.
 
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