Supporting learning recovery 

To address the learning disruptions caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic, we will work with school boards to provide more supports to strengthen reading and math skills and support student resilience and mental well-being.

Tutoring support

School-based tutoring programs will be available to students who need support with math and literacy by April 1, 2022 and may include partnerships with community organizations. We are continuing to invest in and expand online tutoring support for students through Mathify and Eurêka.

Summer learning

School boards will continue to offer summer learning programs for French-and English-language students, including expanded opportunities for students with special education needs and First Nation students.

Student resilience and mental well-being

Mental health and well-being are essential components of overall health. As part of Roadmap to Wellness, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education will engage mental health stakeholders to gather evidence on student mental health needs and explore a potential graduation requirement related to resilience and mental well-being. We will also continue to invest in evidence-based and culturally responsive mental health support for students.

Contact your child’s principal to learn about mental health and well-being supports available at your child’s school.

Math and literacy

In spring 2022, we are resuming the Grades 3 and 6 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments. This is to help us understand impacts of learning disruptions during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

We will engage education stakeholders, families and students to establish new targets for learning recovery. To support learning recovery and improve student literacy, we will invest in evidence-based reading intervention programs, school-based tutoring, summer learning programs and professional assessments.

Building student skills and knowledge

We’re helping all students develop the foundational knowledge and skills they need to become informed, productive, and responsible citizens. It is important that our curriculum is meaningful to students, and that they see themselves reflected in what is taught, how it is taught and how it applies to the world. Read Ontario’s curriculum.

Math

Ontario’s four-year math strategy for students in Grades 1 to 12 focuses on helping students learn the fundamentals of mathematics and how to apply them.

There is now one Grade 9 math course for all students. This new course builds on learning from the elementary math curriculum and provides all students with the same learning experience to prepare them for any pathway of their choice.

Educators started teaching the revised math curriculum for Grades 1-8 in fall 2020, which focuses on coding, financial literacy and data management with relevant, real-world applications.

Online learning requirement

We are committed to helping students develop digital literacy and important transferable skills that they need to succeed at school and compete in the global economy. Students that started Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year must take two online courses to graduate secondary school. If you wish to opt out or exempt your child from the online graduation requirement, you must complete the opt-out form available from your child’s school board.

Explore the courses that students can take online.

Learn more about online learning and Ontario’s graduation requirements for secondary students.

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)

Students study and apply science, technology, engineering and math in real world contexts from kindergarten to Grade 12. This helps students develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking and collaboration, to meet the demands of today.

In fall 2022, educators will start teaching the revised science and technology curriculum for Grades 1-8 and the new de-streamed Grade 9 science course. The new curriculum includes new areas of learning, such as STEM skills and connections, coding, engineering design process, hands-on experiential learning, Indigenous knowledges and perspectives, contributions to science and technology, food literacy and climate change.

Skilled trades

Ontario is investing in programs to help ensure that students are able to access well-paid, in-demand jobs in the skilled trades. We are working to increase awareness of and exposure to the skilled trades, technology and apprenticeship pathways. We are promoting these high-demand career pathways through programs such as Specialist High Skills MajorDual CreditsOntario Youth Apprenticeship Program and experiential learning.

Financial literacy

Financial literacy is a critical skill and has been integrated across many different subjects from Grades 1 to 12, such as math, social studies, business studies and others. It is also a major component of the revised Grade 9 math course and Grade 10 Career Studies course, which are mandatory for all secondary students.

Health and Physical Education curriculum

Learn about the Health and Physical Education curriculum, which helps students develop the skills and knowledge they need to lead safe, healthy and active lives. Students learn about mental health, concussions and cyber safety and digital privacy.

Language curriculum

We are committed to helping students improve and strengthen their literacy skills. We will revise our elementary Language curriculum, the Grade 9 English course and the Grade 9 French course to align with scientific, evidence-based approaches by September 2023. We will engage with education partners and families and develop resources on literacy skills.

Indigenous education

Learn about our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies curriculum for Grades 9-12. We collaborated with First Nation, Métis and Inuit partners to develop this curriculum to increase learning about Indigenous perspectives, cultures, contributions and histories in areas such as art, literature, law, humanities, politics and history.

In September 2021, Ontario announced that we will also be expanding mandatory First Nations, Métis and Inuit content and learning in the Grades 1-3 Social Studies curriculum. We are collaborating with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit partners, including Elders and Knowledge Holders on these revisions, which will complement the mandatory learning in Social Studies Grades 4-6, and History, Grades 7, 8 and 10, introduced in 2018.

Strengthening and modernizing education

To better prepare students for the demands of the future, our plan modernizes education in a number of ways.

Grants for Student Needs (GSN)

Grants for Student Needs (GSN) provides the resources to support student success. The 2022-23 GSN includes investments to support learning recovery, support student mental health and well-being, and modernize education. Funding for public education through the Grants for Student Needs (GSN) is at the highest level in Ontario history.

Expanding broadband access

As part of our Broadband Modernization Program, we have made significant investments in broadband to ensure every student — no matter where they live in the province — can access the virtual learning environment. Students and educators in publicly funded schools now have access to reliable, fast, secure and affordable internet services.

Equity

We are committed to building an equitable education system where every student has the tools they need to succeed. We continue to invest in support programs and resources to fight racism and discrimination in classrooms. For example, we have announced resources and supports to combat Islamophobia in schools, address antisemitism in schools, and support success of Black students

Ending academic streaming for Grade 9

Starting September 2022, we will end streaming for all Grade 9 subjects. This means that students will not have to choose between applied or academic courses when they enter Grade 9. This will help all students be successful and to pursue a postsecondary pathway of their choice (for example, college, university or apprenticeship).

Preparing students for jobs of tomorrow

We will continue to align and revise our curriculum to help students develop skills and knowledge for the jobs of tomorrow and better prepare students for the world of work. We will implement new and enhanced programs related to entrepreneurship, skilled trades and experiential learning to address barriers and support all postsecondary pathways.

Hiring practices

Our objective is to work with our education partners to improve teacher mobility, while increasing transparency, fairness, consistency and accountability in teacher hiring across all school boards. Learn about updated teacher hiring practices announced in October 2020.

Hiring more French teachers

Our French Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy is a four-year, multi-pronged strategy that aims to address the French language and French as a second language (FSL) teacher shortage in both the French and English school systems.

Resources for students

Kids Help Phone
Ministry of Education
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
Skills Ontario
Curriculum and Resources
Education funding, 2022-23
COVID‑19: keeping schools safe