Ontario’s teachers unions are not in favour of the government’s postponement of March Break.
The province’s education unions say postponing March Break is not in the best interest of students, teachers, education workers and families.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce and the provincial government made the postponed March Break official on Thursday afternoon. The spring break will now be moved to April 12th to 16th for students across Ontario.
The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) released a statement saying they strongly oppose the government’s plan.
“These are unprecedented times, and this is a much-needed break for students, teachers, education workers, and families who have been under tremendous pressure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” reads the statement. “The government’s decision to postpone March Break does not take into consideration the mental health and well-being of those involved.”
The union says the decision shows further inadequacies of the government’s planning.
“If there are concerns related to travel and gatherings during March Break, these should be addressed by the government through other means,” the unions add. “Why did Premier Doug Ford reopen the economy when it is clear risks remain? Is he concerned that his stay-at-home orders are ineffective? If so, he should address the real issue: this government’s ongoing failure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The unions suggest the decision to postpone March Break was made in despite of unanimous opposition from unions representing educators and other stakeholders in the sector, including all school board associations and the Ontario Principals’ Council.
“(This) is another example of this government ignoring experts and making decisions that are reckless and baseless,” the statement continues. “The pattern the government has shown in making decisions while ignoring experts and the front-line workers that are most affected has only served to compound challenges. Teachers and education workers have gone to extraordinary lengths to teach and support students every day since the start of the school year, whether in person or online. Their efforts should be applauded not diminished.”
The joint education unions are urging the provincial government to immediately reverse their decision to postpone March Break.
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