Four of the province's teacher unions have responded to Premier Doug Ford's request for input on the issue of re-opening schools.
The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) and Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation say meaningful dialogue requires more than 32 hours notice to respond to questions.
The unions also say since the pandemic started, teachers have urged the province to collaborate with health experts and education workers to find ways to keep schools open safely.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, Ontario’s teachers and education workers have supported the safe, regional reopening of schools and have repeatedly called on your government to engage with education and public health experts in meaningful dialogue on how to keep schools safe and open to in-person learning across the province. Educators know that in-person learning provides the individual attention and holistic social, emotional, and academic supports necessary to best realize student success and well-being."
The unions note that teachers have called on the Ford government to implement safety measures such as smaller class sizes and improved ventilation.
They recommend creating an advisory table of education stakeholders in order to address the needs of schools and students.
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