The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario has released an updated version of its "Building Better Schools" education agenda outlining what needs to be done to meet the educational needs of all students.
As part of eight building blocks for change, the agenda calls for fair funding for public schools, including an independent review of the provincial funding formula, an end to EQAO testing and one secular school system for each official language.
"While education funding has increased since 2003, deep cuts to education made when the funding formula was introduced in 1998 have not been addressed," says a news release. "ETFO’s education agenda calls for greater student access to specialist teachers to provide more support in the arts and physical education as well as more guidance teachers and teacher-librarians. It also calls for measures to create more equal opportunity and inclusion, including more support for English language learners."
“Some of our building blocks require more funding if students are to succeed. We do know that having the political will to move to one secular school system will reduce wasteful spending and reduce school closures,” added Hammond.
ETFO’s Building Better Schools education agenda can be viewed at buildingbetterschools.ca.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 81,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province.
