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 number Lecce said has grown each year.

Students may take online courses for a number of reasons, including a more flexible schedule, because the course is not offered at their school, or to work ahead. They need a total of 30 credits to earn a diploma.

Those who graduate in 2023-24 will be the first required to complete online courses, although exceptions will be available for students with special needs. The online classes can be taken in any subject offered.

The requirement does not apply to those already attending high school.

NDP education critic Marit Stiles said the online requirement is “about cutting costs on the backs of our students,” and especially the loss of teaching positions with higher online class averages of 35 teens.

There’s “no other reason to do it,” she said. “There’s no research, there’s no other jurisdictions which offer required mandatory online courses the way this government is proposing.”

Lecce said the government will soon launch consultations to “ensure we develop online learning experiences that meet the needs of students and provide them with a world-class education.”

The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association believes the issue of e-learning is best discussed at the bargaining table.

“We would always prefer that (e-learning) be optional,” said president Cathy Abraham, adding “there is a need for sufficient face-to-face teacher contact because it supports our students and their learning."

The Ontario Student Trustees’ Association, which represents 2 million students, recently conducted a survey that found almost 95 per cent oppose the move — in part because the course quality is not as good as in-class, and because students said they didn’t have timely access to help from their online teachers.

Thursday’s announcement came as teacher unions grow increasingly frustrated with collective bargaining talks, with the public elementary and secondary teachers already in strike positions and planning work-to-rule campaigns.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said not all families can afford computers, and that the Ford government’s strategy is to “use the threat of massive cuts to create cover for more modest cuts that will nonetheless do harm to our children’s education.”

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The courses will be taught by Ontario teachers, and will be run publicly with no plans to privatize, the minister’s staff later clarified.

This is the second time the government has backtracked on a controversial proposal to change the education system.

Lecce recently announced a revised target of 25 students for average high school class sizes. That number is higher than last year’s average of 22 students, but lower than the government’s original proposal of 28.