Ontario's Catholic school teachers are raising serious concerns. On October 21, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) released an open letter criticizing what they call the provincial government’s lack of funding for public education. Representing Catholic teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded schools, OECTA reports a rise in school violence, overcrowded classrooms, and difficulty hiring and keeping teachers.
Vanessa Slee, who represents high school teachers in Halton, described the situation as “troubling.” She shared that one secondary school had to go into lockdown due to a violent incident in early September, and some teachers have been victims of violence in their own classrooms.
Despite safety measures, Slee says these incidents haven’t decreased. Teachers believe that ongoing underfunding is the core issue, leading schools in the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) to ration basics like paper and pencils.
This funding shortage also means there aren’t enough staff, forcing teachers to take on roles they aren’t trained for, such as counselors and behavior specialists. Tara Hambly, representing elementary teachers, noted that teachers have faced aggression from students, including being assaulted and spat on. She stressed that these behaviors often result from a lack of support for students with special needs.
Students are also affected by the funding cuts, experiencing a lack of textbooks, crowded classrooms, and limited support. An HCDSB report showed that nine percent of kindergarten classes exceed the provincial size limit of 29 students.
Hambly added that these stressful conditions are driving more teachers to leave the profession than ever before, often due to health and mental health concerns caused by difficult classroom environments and lack of resources.
OECTA’s letter called for more funding and transparency on violent incidents in schools. On October 23, the NDP called for an emergency plan to address school violence. However, Edyta McKay, spokesperson for the Ontario Minister of Education, responded by pointing out recent increases in funding for HCDSB, including an $11 million boost this year.
The HCDSB stated that it monitors school violence closely and has measures to address it. The board also disagreed with OECTA’s claims about a teacher shortage, noting that they continue to attract qualified teachers and have a stable supply of occasional teachers, though hiring for specialized roles remains challenging.
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