The union representing elementary teachers across the province continues to raise the alarm over lifting mask mandates in schools.
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) released a statement this week, saying the Ford government appears to be prioritizing political interests over safety in schools.
Provincial mask mandates in most public settings will be lifting next Monday, just as students return from March Break.
In a media release, ETFO officials call the move misguided.
“This government has repeatedly left students, families, teachers, and education workers at higher risk by refusing to take basic precautions such as reducing class sizes and providing adequate ventilation,” the release states. “Throughout the pandemic, schools have been expected to meet a different set of rules than other high-risk settings.”
ETFO represents approximately 83,000 members including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel across Ontario.