Thousands of students in York Region public schools switch to online learning during Omicron-fuelled wave

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 24, 2022

The new Omicron variant of COVID-19 has pushed more families to opt for online learning.

York Region District School Board has shared some figures of how many students who have initially opted for in-person learning have switched to online.

For YRDSB elementary students, about 12,709, or 15 per cent, of its students were learning remotely on Sep. 9 when the school year started. However, on Dec. 17, the figure decreased to 8,510 (10 per cent). But YRDSB’s number dated on Jan. 19 shows about 19,707 (23 per cent) students opted to learn online, showing an eight per cent swing since school reopened in September.

For secondary students, 2,933 (seven per cent) students were learning remotely in September, and this figure went up by one per cent on Dec. 17. However, as of Jan. 19, there are about 12,123 students (30 per cent) studying online, pushing remote learning up 23 per cent for high schoolers.

“We selected the Hybrid model in order to provide flexibility for our students and families,” YRDSB spokesperson Licinio Miguelo told yorkregion.com.

“This model has been especially helpful as many families are being affected by COVID-19 and we have been able to maintain continuity of learning for our students.”

York Region public schools have opted for a hybrid model of education for the first time this school year, a move that was highly rejected by many educators as it makes teaching challenging.

In YRDSB’s defence, Miguelo said the number of students switching between online and in-person shows a “fluidity of movement for students."

He added the YRDSB anticipates this current wave to decline.

“We will be welcoming more students back to in-person learning,” he said.