Recently, Premier Doug Ford said the idea of outdoor classrooms is being considered.
When discussing the plans for students returning to school in September earlier this week, Ford said, “no idea is ridiculous” regarding outdoor classrooms.
Outdoor classrooms is something the Green Party has publicly advocated for in the past.
Green Party of Ontario Shadow Cabinet Critic for Women’s Issues and Milton Green Party Representative Eleanor Hayward says the Green Party wants to increase nature-based opportunities, allowing for safer learning in a post-COVID-19 world.
She continues on the benefits of learning in an outdoor environment.
Hayward adds that outdoor classrooms would depend on the season.
She says there would need to be a plan in place in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
The provincial government recently announced the official plan for students returning to school in September.
Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce say kids will be back in class full time in September five-days a week with strict health and safety guidelines in place.
Face coverings will be mandatory for students in Grade 4 to 12 while on school property. They will be “encouraged” for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students.
The two were in Milton on Wednesday to discuss education. Milton was approved for several new schools as the population continues to grow.
Hayward wants to see funding more evenly proportioned for all school boards.
You can read more about the funding for new Milton schools here.
Read more on the Ontario Government’s plan for students to return to school here.
