Earlier this week, the Federal Government announced additional funding for education, with $381 million being allocated to Ontario in the first phase. This funding will be used by the province to further enhance our safe and responsible plan to reopen schools in Ontario through several priority provincial initiatives including:
Reopening Plan Implementation - $200 million
→ $100 million to complement the health and safety components of school reopening plans, in consultation with local public health units, including the hiring of custodians, HVAC, improvements, internet connectivity for students and other local needs.
→ $30 million to support additional PPE for schools.
→ $70 million for the temporary hiring of educators as required.
Student Transportation - $70 million
→ $44.5 million in support of the Driver Retention Program (DRP).
→ $25.5 million for route protection and to help reduce the number of students on buses.
Special Education and Mental Health Supports Enhancement - $12.5 million
→ Will allow boards to hire and train additional staff and provide more mental health supports for students.
Additional Public Health Nurses - $12.5 million
→ Supports up to 125 additional nursing positions in public health units across the province to help schools manage potential COVID-19 cases.
Remote Learning - $36 million
→ Ensures that every school board offering virtual learning has a dedicated principal and administrative support for both its secondary and elementary virtual schools.
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