FORD CUTS UP TO 1,000 ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

October 30, 2019
 
Toronto, ON – There will be almost 1,000 fewer teachers in grades 4-8 elementary classrooms this year and larger class sizes according to an analysis released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) based on Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office findings.
 
“There will be fewer teachers in schools, larger classes and less one-on-one instruction time for students because of Ford’s reckless cuts,” said Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). “Ford is fond of saying that no one will lose their job but the reality is there will be 1,000 fewer public elementary teachers to help students reach their potential.”
 
“We now know that this government inflated the province’s deficit by more than $ 7 billion to justify its massive cuts to public services including public education. Doug Ford and his Minister of Education Stephen Lecce are asking students, particularly those who are most vulnerable, to pay a steep price for their cuts.”
 
The CCPA study tracks the impact of higher class sizes and the resulting loss of teachers in grades 4 to 12 on a school board basis. It can be viewed at http://behindthenumbers.ca/2019/10/30/board-by-board-impact-larger-class-sizes/
 
“Our teachers and education professionals are working hard to provide high quality instruction, assessment and engagement to meet the needs of every student. With larger class sizes, the Ford government is cheating students of the education they need and deserve,” added Hammond.