Ford leaves Scarborough students behind during COVID crisis: MPP Begum

QUEEN’S PARK – The Ford government has made a mess of virtual schooling said Scarborough Southwest NDP MPP Doly Begum as she took the concerns of Scarborough parents straight to Doug Ford during question period Monday.

Begum’s questions to Ford came on the same day a local school was forced to close for a week due to several COVID-19 cases.

“Parents, educators and students in Scarborough are now feeling even more anxious about this government’s school reopening plan,” said Begum. “Some parents are telling me their children still do not have any teachers in their virtual classes.”

Begum said Doug Ford needs to listen to local parents who are speaking out about their children being left behind by his government.

“One parent in my riding of Scarborough Southwest said that despite being one of the first to register for virtual learning initially slated to start almost two weeks ago, both of his children are still waiting for their teachers to be assigned to them,” said Begum.

“A local mom told me that her child is sitting in front of the computer without a teacher to teach him. She said: ‘It is a shame that our government has placed so little importance on my son's education and I'm afraid that the ramification of this will impact him in the long term where he will fall behind in his academics and not be able to catch up to what's expected of him.’”

Begum said the woman has been struggling for answers and has even reached out to the minister of education who has not provided a response.

“What measures will the premier take to manage this chaos of virtual schooling so our students can finally start their school year?” said Begum.