Ontario announces its Plan to Catch Up...
After years of impacted education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government has shared its plan to get students back into normal school life for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.
“Our government is looking ahead as we remain squarely focused on ensuring students receive the best stable learning experience possible, and that starts with them being in class, on time, with all of the experiences students deserve,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education.
“We have a plan for students to catch up, including the largest tutoring program in Ontario’s history, a modernized skills-focused curriculum to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, and enhanced mental health supports.”
Ontario’s Plan to Catch up focuses on five main priorities:
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Getting children back into classrooms with the “full” school experience that includes extra-curriculars like clubs, bands, and field trips
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Tutoring supports to fill gaps in education
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Preparing students for the jobs that we will see and need in the future
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Providing the money for additional schools and support to be built
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Introducing historic funding for mental health support for students
This new plan adds upon the multiple investments from the provincial government over the past year, such as over $26.6 billion in funding for the 2022-23 school year, more than $175 million for advanced tutoring support programs, and $304 million to go towards the hiring of up to 3,000 front line staff, including teachers, early childhood educators, educational assistants, and other education workers.
“With almost 50,000 children benefiting from Ontario’s tutoring investments every week, and summer learning programs underway province-wide, Ontario’s plan is getting students back on track,” added Minister Lecce.
“With an emphasis on getting back to basics, our government is focused on strengthening life and job skills in the classroom, so that students graduate as financially literate, technologically savvy, emotionally intelligent leaders, ready for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Nationally, Ontario students continue to be top performers in math, reading and science.