Following Monday's announcement of significant changes to Ontario's education system, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) accuses the Ford government of failing students, their families, and educators by ignoring what it calls the real issues in the province's schools.
Education Minister Paul Calandra announced his government was introducing the Putting Student Achievement First Act in the Ontario legislature. The bill would limit the number of trustees at each school board to 12, limit discretionary spending, and require trustees to pay out-of-pocket for external organization membership fees.
The director of education would become the Chief Executive Officer of a school board and would be responsible for overseeing both financial and operational matters. The CEO would also be required to have business qualifications.
A second position, the Chief Education Officer, would focus on student achievement and be a member of the Ontario College of Teachers or an equivalent pedagogical qualification. That position would also be responsible for budget development.
"Ontario's education system must remain focused on its core responsibility, student success," said Calandra. "In some school boards, that focus has been lost, and students are paying the price."
Calandra said the changes are necessary because of governance and financial issues at the school board level.
"Despite Ontario's record investments in education, too many boards are facing financial mismanagement, weak governance, and decision-making that prioritizes politics over student outcomes," said a release from the Ford government.
Eight school boards have been placed under provincial supervision in the past year.
However, the OSSTF said the changes do nothing to address rising violence, growing class sizes, and chronic underfunding.
"Let's be clear; replacing directors with CEOs with no experience in education or shifting governance structures doesn't change who actually makes the decisions," said President Martha Hradowy. "No matter who sits across the bargaining table, the government holds the power and the purse strings, and right now, they are choosing to underfund public education."
The union alleges the Ford government has underfunded education by $6.3-billion since taking office. The Ford government refutes that, saying it has invested $30.3-billion in core education funding.
"You cannot ignore or separate these issues. Larger class sizes, fewer supports, and rising violence are all connected, and they are the direct result of this government's decisions," said Hradowy. "It's time to stop the distractions and start fixing the problem. Fund our schools properly, address conditions in our classrooms, and engage in meaningful bargaining that delivers for students and families."
