Ontario’s plan for four mandatory online high school courses is being reduced to two, and will be phased in starting with Grade 9 students next fall, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced Thursday.The issue has been one of many sticking points between teacher unions and the province in ongoing contract negotiations, given concerns about quality and student access to computers and the internet, especially in smaller communities.Requiring two such courses for graduation would still be an anomaly in North America, where only a handful of U.S. states either require or encourage teens to enrol in just one.“We really believe this is the right way forward, to really embrace the best of technology and give young people the skills they will need,” Lecce told reporters.Lecce said the government backed off on its initial proposal of four online courses after receiving feedback from parents, students and educators. “The government made its decision premised on listening to those we serve,” he said, adding that the slower implementation will allow the government to make improvements to internet access across the province.However, the move was slammed by critics who don’t necessarily oppose e-learning, but have advocated against making the courses mandatory.“It seems that the education minister has accidentally stumbled halfway towards the right solution,” said Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.“Two mandatory online courses is still two too many,” said Liz Stuart, president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association. “E-learning is clearly not an appropriate option for all students, but the government still has no plan for how to deal with exemptions or equity issues.”Currently, about 130 online courses are offered in English and French by Ontario boards, and about 60,000 students — or 5 per cent — are enrolled in them, a ...
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