Education workers say Ontario needs to fix funding formula for schools

CTV’s Jeff Pickel speaks to educators who staged a day of action to protest what they call “underfunding” in the education system

Education workers are calling on the province to revise its school funding approach, saying chronic underfunding is placing increasing strain on classrooms and staff.

“Our kids – our community – deserve better,” insisted Josh Dickson, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) – Waterloo Region.

Thousands of people showed their support Wednesday in a province-wide Day of Action, which included members of ETFO, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), Ontario School Board Council of Unions (CUPE-OSBCU) and l’association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO).

“Chronic underfunding continues to shape daily realities in schools, where large class sizes, rising incidents of school violence, insufficient supports for students with special education needs, ongoing challenges in retaining and recruiting teachers and education workers, and aging, deteriorating buildings all converge to create significant strain,” a media release said.

The trend, they noted, was also not limited to elementary and high schools.

“In the post-secondary sector, years of underfunding, combined with recent cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), are undermining access for students and putting the province’s future workforce at risk,” the release read.

Members of both the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) also echoed those concerns.

“The education system can no longer sustain funding cuts,” said Vicki Buder, the president for OSSTF’s education support staff in Waterloo Region. “When education funding is not maintained, or its continuously cut, we can’t expect the education system to maintain its current function. When there aren’t enough office staff to answer the phones, to answer the doors, to address parents’ concerns or to attend to safe arrival in a timely manner, it puts our students’ safety at risk. When you cut library staff, you’re not just losing books, you’re losing literacy support.”

“People are stretched thin,” admitted Gregory Patterson, president of WRDSB’s Custodial and Maintenance Association. “Our members aren’t replaced if they are away due to sickness or injury… or even a vacation.”

Those situations, he added, often lead to more burnout.

Teachers, support staff, librarians and custodians said the message is simple.

“We’re calling on the government to prioritize funding for education and put students first by ensuring the proper supports are in place,” explained Bruder.

CTV News also reached out to Paul Calandra, the minister of education, for his reaction to the Day of Action.

His press secretary responded: “The minister looks forward to continuing his work with all the dedicated and passionate educators as we work toward the shared goal of strengthening our system.”