Online learning efforts reach creative highs, but infrastructure remains big issue
Remote learning has become the norm instead of the exception amid the pandemic, but it’s also showing the cracks in northwestern Ontario’s infrastructure.
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Internet hubs, sticks given to students that need them, but they don t always do the trick
Posted: May 06, 2021 5:42 PM ET | Last Updated: May 6
Sherri-Lynne Pharand, director of education at Keewatin Patricia District School Board, is shown in a classroom before the pandemic. She says the board has spent up to $35,000 on devices like hubs and sticks to get connected for remote learning. (Submitted by Sheena Pilipishen )
Rainy River District School Board is projected to receive about $43.3 million.
That is $120 thousand more than what it will get this school year.
The funding is based on the board having about two thousand students at its schools.
The Northwest Catholic District School Board is projected to receive just under $25 million, based on the enrolment of about 1,200 students.
That is a nearly $600 thousand increase over this year’s funding.
School boards are also receiving funding specific to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s a breakdown of the funding as provided by the province.
Rainy River District School Board:
Open Roads Facebook from March 21
A financial shot in the arm for local school boards as a cloud of uncertainty surrounds the 2021 and 2022 school years.
The province is promising another year of COVID-19 support totaling $1.6 billion.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the funding is for such things as transportation, special education, reading support, summer programming, mental health investments, health and safety upgrades and help for students who have become disconnected from school and learning during the pandemic.
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board can anticipate $3.9 million with $1.15 million earmarked for hiring temporary staff.
Director of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand says, “We are grateful for the investment in intervention, mental health and well-being, The continued focus on student learning and student safety will help boards support students as we return from the pandemic.”