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NDP Urges Action From Ford to Keep Schools Open

The Ontario NDP is calling on the Ford government to reduce class sizes and provide teachers and school staff with free rapid tests to take home over the holidays.

The Ontario NDP says the Ford government needs to take further action in order to keep more schools open after the Christmas break. 

NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles says the province should reduce class sizes and school busloads, starting January 3rd. 

She also recommends free N95 masks and rapid tests for teachers and school staff to bring home over the holidays, and additional free tests for kids and parents to continue taking after the holiday break. 

"As Ontario schools break today for the holidays, parents, kids and education workers are rightfully afraid they won't be returning to in-person school as they should after New Year's," Stiles said. "Doug Ford is sleepwalking us into a scary Omicron wave and continues to scrimp on vital measures to shield students from further school shutdowns. We must do everything possible to keep schools open - our children's mental, emotional, and academic well-being depends on it."

As well, the NDP is encouraging the Ford government to require vaccinations for all school staff and create a vaccine blitz for students, with in-school clinics for children who have permission from their parents. 

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