Province's elementary teacher union head alleges disregard for parental trustees, claiming insufficient representation by the government in Ontario
Smaller Class Sizes and the Question of Democratic Governance in Ontario Schools
In Ontario, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is advocating for a significant change in class sizes, proposing a cap of 26 students for kindergarten classes and 24 students for grades 4 to 8. This move, which has sparked debate among parents, trustees, and government officials, is part of a larger campaign for improved education in the province.
The union's president, Karen Brown, has highlighted that almost one-third of all students in Ontario are attending schools without trustee representation. This issue was raised in a meeting with the Minister of Education in July. While some parents and trustees have labeled the move as anti-democratic, others hope it will lead to better governance and a more effective education system.
The question of class sizes has gained further urgency due to the current state of Ontario's schools. While most classes in grades 1 to 3 are capped at 20 students, funding for grades 4 to 8 is based on an average of 24.5 students, leading to some classes being larger.
However, the provincial landscape of education is not just about class sizes. Five school boards in Ontario have been placed under provincial supervision, suspending elected school board trustees and replacing them with government-appointed supervisors. This shift effectively suspends local democratic governance and replaces it with provincial oversight aimed at restoring financial stability and enforcing fiscal accountability.
For elected officials (trustees), this means a loss of authority over school board operations and a disruption of local democratic participation and community representation. For parents, it brings uncertainty and skepticism about the direction and priorities of the schools, especially with late decisions on budgets and policies close to the school year start.
For educators, the takeover means changes in staffing and school policies, potentially affecting working conditions and resources. Key educational changes, such as the reintroduction of Grade 9 and 10 final exams in Ottawa, are imposed by supervisors aiming to refocus on student success and board fundamentals.
The provincial officials justify supervision by citing financial mismanagement, growing deficits, and depleted reserves. However, critics note no proven malfeasance by elected trustees and highlight existing financial transparency. The period of supervision is indeterminate and could extend beyond the next scheduled school board elections in October 2026, creating prolonged uncertainty for all stakeholders.
The ETFO, the largest teachers' union in the country with 84,000 members, is planning for bold, focused action in the next round of bargaining talks, with class size being the top priority. Smaller class sizes are considered essential for student learning and educator well-being. The union's campaign slogan is "smaller classes, BIG DIFFERENCE."
References: [1] CBC News. (2021, July 16). Ontario's Ottawa-Carleton District School Board placed under provincial supervision. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-carleton-district-school-board-ontario-supervision-1.6108093
[2] Global News. (2021, July 16). Ottawa-Carleton District School Board placed under provincial supervision. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8028754/ottawa-carleton-district-school-board-provincial-supervision/
[3] Ottawa Citizen. (2021, July 16). Ottawa-Carleton District School Board placed under provincial supervision. Retrieved from https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-carleton-district-school-board-placed-under-provincial-supervision
[4] Toronto Star. (2021, July 16). Ontario places Ottawa-Carleton District School Board under provincial supervision. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/07/16/ontario-places-ottawa-carleton-district-school-board-under-provincial-supervision.html
[5] National Post. (2021, July 16). Ontario's Ottawa-Carleton District School Board placed under provincial supervision. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ontarios-ottawa-carleton-district-school-board-placed-under-provincial-supervision
- Concerns about the removal of local democratic governance in Ontario schools, and its impact on community representation, have been voiced in media discussions, particularly focused on the placement of five school boards under provincial supervision.
- The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has emphasized the need for smaller class sizes as part of their ongoing campaign for improved education within the context of policy-and-legislation and democratic governance in the province.
- The move by ETFO to cap class sizes at 26 for kindergarten and 24 for grades 4 to 8 has sparked news discussions, with varying opinions from parents, trustees, and government officials, and has been entwined with broader issues concerning the education system and general-news.
- The current state of Ontario's schools, including the question of class sizes, the financial management of school boards, and the suspension of elected trustees, has come under scrutiny by the government and the media.
- The provincial government's justification for supervising certain school boards, citing financial mismanagement and growing deficits, has led to contentious debates, particularly in the realms of politics and the local community.
