STEPHEN LECCE SAYS 1,000 EXTRA TEACHING POSITIONS WILL HELP KIDS STRUGGLING WITH EARLY READING, MATH

The province is spending $180 million on math and literacy help for kids — many of them still struggling with learning losses from the pandemic — creating 1,000 extra teaching positions, says Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

Speaking Sunday at the Albion public library branch in the northwest of the city, Lecce said the money will bring in 700 educators to aid with literacy and 300 with numeracy, doubling the number of math coaches in schools and creating a “math lead” at every board in the province.

In total, $109 million will be targeted for literacy and $71 million for math in the upcoming school year, although a portion of the funding was previously announced in the spring budget.