Cuts Hurt Kids — and Teacher Candidates

Contrary to the popular belief of Facebook commenters and estranged family members on Twitter, teachers are currently striking for student rights across Ontario. As a part of negotiations, teachers are, indeed, seeking the removal of the 1% pay raise cap, due to the cost of living in Ontario having recently gone up by 2%. But if you still feel that teachers are being greedy, it is important to note that thus far, teachers have lost more than 3% of their yearly pay to striking. Though teachers work on a salary, they still need to work to get paid. A grade-three teacher in Barrie, who prefers to remain anonymous, told The Argus: “Every day we are out of the classroom, we lose our pay for the day. That comes out of our salary. We get a strike pay that is very small for those missed days.” 

Here’s a breakdown of the student rights teachers have been striking for: 

• Education Funding: Prior to the current government, education costs rose 2.2% annually on average, while spending rose 3.3% annually. With increasing enrollment, those costs are expected to rise 2.7% annually, while government funding will be slowed to an average of 1% additional funding annually. 

• Class Sizes: In grades 4-8, class sizes are to increase by an average of one student. In highschools, average class sizes are to increase from 22 to 28. Keyword: average. While these numbers are seemingly low, one must keep in mind that library class sizes (0) and learning centre sizes are included, meaning the average class may have closer to 30-35 students, many being much higher. This would eliminate 10 054 teachers and save 900 million dollars.

• Mandatory Online Classes: This one strictly applies to high school students and teachers. The Ford government proposed to change high school credit requirements to include four mandatory online credits. While having online classes as an available option is fantastic, the mandatory implementation is nerve-wracking for many students that do not learn well online or do not have full-time access to a computer.  

• Renewal of Funding for Students with Exceptionalities: Within the past year, 1 200 jobs have been cut within the field of education, predominantly Education Assistants (EAs). With an extremely limited amount of support, EAs work almost exclusively with the students with the highest needs. This means that many students who would benefit from one-on-one support will not receive the help they require, both behaviourally and academically. 

Earlier this month, the Ontario government made a new offer suggesting it would take back plans to increase high school class sizes, make it easier to opt-out of mandatory online classes, and fully fund support for special education. However, the government is standing firm on the wage cap, and a deal has not yet been reached. 

Lakehead teacher candidates are now feeling the pressure. As part of the Bachelor of Education Program, students are required to complete placement days, to observe and participate in classroom responsibilities. One teacher candidate in their second year said: “I’d say that the big thing we’re all feeling as a teacher candidates is scared about our hours and not gaining proper in-class experience in time for graduation. However, we also obviously support the teachers and the fight for education. We all care about children and we want what is best for them and these negotiations are hopefully going to lead to that.”

Further insight regarding teacher candidacy was provided by a graduate and current Master of Education Candidate: “All first-year students in Teachers College have ‘MAP’ days on Wednesdays, which is essentially an observation day in the classroom required by the Ontario College of Teachers to graduate. If strikes are happening on Wednesdays, which some are, then students will not be getting the hours required for graduation.” 

 “Teacher College placements begin at the end of March. Unfortunately, since teacher strikes are taking so much time away from classroom learning, placements may not be accepted by teachers. The extra work of teaching a young candidate just may be too much this year.” 

Although most teacher candidates support the selfless fight for student rights and further negotiations, stress is still being felt by everyone. 

“Educational strikes aren’t just an inconvenience for parents and students but affect my ability to complete my teaching program. I pay a lot of money to complete placements in schools, but I see no government compensation or consideration from the people responsible for making an agreement with teachers and end the strike,” said one second-year student completing their Bachelor of Arts in the Concurrent Education Program. 

In addition to financial loss, students worry about the quality of their education: “[The strike] has limited the days I am able to go in and observe teaching. Also, the days are modified to have no extracurricular activities, therefore I feel I am not getting the full experience of being the teacher. I understand it is for the kids though, and I hope the government settles. They are spending more on strikes than it would cost to come to an agreement; people are suffering,” said another second-year Con-Ed student.

For second year students in the Lakehead Concurrent Education Program, an announcement was made recently that the Faculty of Education has extended the due date for 36 hour placement. Originally due March 6th, the deadline has been extended by three weeks so that students can get hours lost due to strikes and PA days.

Proposed government changes to education will also have an impact on the future job market. New teachers in Ontario will soon have to pass a standardized math test with a minimum score of 70%. Student math performance rates have been decreasing in Ontario. The teacher-suggested solution was the ‘Math Discovery’ program, which shifted focus away from memorization and into understanding concepts through various routes. The government-implemented solution is currently to have teachers take a test to prove their own ‘math competency’ regardless of grade or subject taught. The totality of math changes implemented by the government for improved scoring will cost the province $55 million a year over four years. 

In February of 2019, the Ontario government recommended a hiring freeze in the education field, stating that no further funding would be available for teacher salaries. It is undetermined how long the hiring freeze will last but, a year later, it is still in action. Recently graduated students from the education program have limited options within the education field. They may volunteer in vacant school positions without salary, which will appear very nicely on future teaching applications. For those looking to make money after spending thousands on post-secondary education, graduates can look for teaching jobs internationally. In the UK, for example, many places are currently looking for qualified teachers, which may be a fun adventure while also fast-tracking career progression. 

Provided that the hiring freeze comes to an end, the Ford government has proposed an end to seniority-based hiring. This means that the amount of substitute experience will become irrelevant to teacher job applications. Instead, according to Ford representatives, teachers will be hired based on performance excellence. This may be good news for graduates hoping for full-time jobs so soon after course completion, yet disappointing to those that have been on the supply list for so many years, gaining experience just for it to count toward nothing. 

All in all, there is going to be a lot less job availability over the next several years. Recent graduates will be joining thousands of others waiting for hiring whilst schools are desperately in need of more teachers and Education Assistants. So, while the loss of placement hours is bound to be frustrating, know that everyone is struggling for a better future. Teachers are not only fighting for students, but they are fighting for you, your children, others that have lost their jobs, and more. At this time, the best we can do is support those on the picket line, those looking for daycare, and those struggling to pay their bills. Hopefully, the future holds a resolution that is beneficial for teachers, teacher candidates, and children across Ontario.