Making schools safer must be a priority

January 15, 2021

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding school reopenings:

“The Ford government must ensure that children with special needs have access to safe schooling.

Kids with special needs represent one of our most vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 public health crisis. And yet the Ford government has decided that it’s safe for these kids to return to in-class instruction with no extra safety measures.

This makes zero sense.

While it is important for special education students to maintain a routine and benefit from in-class learning, the Premier has a responsibility to ensure that our most vulnerable are safe.

That means adequate personal protective equipment, proper ventilation, faster rollout of vaccinations, increased testing and tracing and reducing class sizes.

Schools will not be made safe with a stroke of luck. Students, educators and parents deserve clarity and action.

Every day that passes is another day the Ford government has delayed action on making our schools safer.”

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