Ontario Minister of Education Steven Lecce said he does not support the Toronto District School Board's decision to end classes early due to the upcoming solar eclipse.

Speaking at Queen's Park on Monday, Lecce said that while he supports changing school boards' professional development days because of this rare event, he is uncomfortable "with decisions to close the schools themselves.

He added: “Clearly, the safety of children is the most important."

He also mentioned: School boards have the authority to use professional development days if they wish.. what I do not support is closing schools without allowing children to access their teachers".

He pointed out that parents who have to work need additional alternatives.

Toronto school boards voted last month to change the professional development day from April 8 to April 19 because of the eclipse, citing the dangers of looking directly at the event as well as safety considerations related to traffic and transportation.

However, the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) said it could not change its professional development days due to "contractual obligations and previous commitments".

As such, YRDSB schools will end classes early for all elementary and secondary students.

The board said they made the decision after hearing concerns about students being outside and inadvertently looking at the sun, as well as concerns about traffic and walking home in the dark.