Centretown elementary schools will be closed tomorrow because of a one-day walkout by teachers protesting a government-imposed contract.
Four Centretown elementary schools will be closed — Elgin Street Public School, Cambridge Street Public School, Centennial Public School and Glashan Public School. The walkout, which takes place across the province, will not affect secondary schools.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has advised parents to make alternate childcare arrangements as elementary students will not be able to attend school.
However, before and after school programs and daycare programs operated by third party service providers may continue to operate. Bus services for elementary school students will also be suspended on Friday
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said in an announcement Wednesday evening that the protest would be an “illegal strike” since the province has imposed a contract on teachers.
Members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario held a vote in December on whether to hold a one-day political protest against a provincial bill, Bill 115, that imposes contracts on teachers until unions and school boards reach an agreement.
Ninety-two per cent of the more than 46,000 members who cast a ballot favoured a one-day political protest, according to a media release issued by ETFO Wednesday.
OCDSB Director of Education Jennifer Adams said in a news release that student safety is the main reason behind closing schools during the protest.
Students will be back in the classroom with regular bus service on Monday, Jan. 14.