As Ontario and other provinces offer more tax dollars to help students catch up on schooling losses during the pandemic, some education experts say the more important consideration is to keep schools from ever closing again.
On July 25, the Ontario government presented a Plan to Catch Up that provides more than $26.6 billion in funding for the 2022–23 school year in support of K–12 students on their education. The plan earmarks $14 billion to build schools and repair existing schools, $90 million for mental health supports, and $175 million to provide tutoring, focusing on reading, writing, and math. The program implements a more skills-focused curriculum to prepare students for employment and calls for schools to include a full set of experiences, such as clubs, band, and field trips.
