The province’s teacher’s union has launched an online petition calling on the provincial government to ensure that schools are safe for the return of students in September.
The NLTA says class sizes have increased, and the 2008 teacher allocation model needs to be reviewed as per a cabinet directive made in 2011.
A ‘soft cap’ was instituted by the government allowing classrooms to exceed caps established in 2008.
The teachers union says students, including those with special and complex needs, are being placed in larger classes.
The outcome says the union, is an increase in student absenteeism and incidents of classroom violence.
The union says the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children recommended last week that “smaller class sizes should be a priority” as it will help with physical distancing and reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.