Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) delegates to its annual meeting voted in favour of a policy calling on the government to ensure appropriate measures are in place for a safe return to school, including the mandatory vaccination of school staff, with provisions for exceptions.
“The province’s voluntary disclosure policy does not go far enough to protect students and school staff," says ETFO President Sam Hammond. "Given the severity and longevity of the global pandemic, it is not unreasonable for the Ford government to implement a mandatory vaccination policy in schools.
“Considering the increased risks the Delta variant poses to those who are unvaccinated, including children under 12, and with a concerning rise in the number of COVID-19 cases across Ontario, we must do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all Ontarians; this includes mandating vaccines for all staff working in schools, with exceptions.”
In a survey of ETFO members in June 2021, over 90 per cent indicated that they had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of June and 75 per cent indicated that they were already scheduled for a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine before September 2021.
ETFO is calling on the province to implement the following to ensure appropriate measures are in place for a safe, sustainable 2021-2022 school year:
- lower class sizes to enable physical distancing;
- maintain cohorting that limits interactions;
- improve classroom/worksite air exchange/ventilation;
- mandate masking for all elementary students, including Kindergarten, unless medically exempted;
- require confirmation of COVID-19 screening of staff and students;
- provide on-site testing;
- direct adequate safeguards for student transportation; and
- mandate COVID-19 vaccination for school staff, with provisions for exceptions.
