A teacher stands with a sign protesting the recent changes and cuts to Ontario schools. Photo courtesy of Google Images.
On April 5th, 2019, CBC News Toronto announced that the Ontario government would reduce the number of educators in the province, a process that would start this fall and extend into the following years. Currently, the provincial government has cut 1,558 teaching jobs across Ontario for this school year, and they plan to eliminate 3,475 more positions in 2021. Because of these cuts, class sizes will increase from 22 to 28 pupils per instructor. These changes are supposed to save the government $851 million, and Education Minister Lisa Thompson has asserted that no job losses will be involuntary.
Despite this pitiful attempt at reassurance, many people have voiced their disapproval of the cuts. For example, Emma B., a ninth-grader at St. Joe’s, stated that she's against them because of the drawbacks: "Increasing class sizes will get rid of one-on-one time," she said, "Also, when classes get bigger, they get louder."
It is not just students that take issue with the new legislation. Many administrators are also opposed to it, including Mrs. Carpio-Sementilli, a teacher in the St. Joseph's Catholic Studies Department. "I don't like it; I think it's detrimental to students because you're removing individual time (with their teachers) from them," she declared. To protest these changes, teachers in various schools in Ontario have begun sporting red t-shirts with the hashtag #cutshurtkids emblazoned on the front.
According to Ontario NDP member Marit Stiles, another case against the cuts includes the fact that removing such an enormous amount of educators will result in the demise of some courses and extracurriculars. Some examples include trading classes, technology, and band. "And he's taking away opportunity," Stiles announced, "Ontario students deserve more opportunity, not less."
So how do I, as a youthful scholar, feel about these developments? I am unnerved, stupefied, and heartbroken for all of us. These cuts are yet another component of North America's gradual, brutal collapse onto itself, falling majorly on its youngest victims. I also think that the severest part of this is that they did it all to save money for something that will not be worth it.
To summarize this article, Ontario's government introduced a plan to reduce the number of teaching jobs across the province to save money this past April. Students and teachers are against it because it eliminates many vital opportunities for pupils to learn. Said opportunities range from one-on-one time with an educator for specialized assistance to some classes and extracurriculars. Hopefully, with more media attention and public awareness, the provincial government will reconsider these cuts to ensure a better education for students in Ontario.