Since 2014, the mandate of Fix Our Schools has been to advocate for safe, healthy, well-maintained public schools that provide an environment conducive to learning, and working. Amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, this goal seems more important than ever. However, our provincial government cannot grossly and chronically underfund public schools for over two decades, and then expect these buildings to provide the optimum environments for learning during a pandemic. Over the past several months, we’ve heard from people across the province about classrooms with no windows, or windows that do not open:
Time to take a good look at schools ! Repairs are needed for schools who were ignored for 2 long. @fordnation @Sflecce https://t.co/0qxPMWUplQ
— Tis me (@JoPhillips124) September 14, 2020
We’ve heard about many schools that were actually designed to prevent natural light and good ventilation:
From community of Tom Thomson Public School in #Burlington: "My daughter’s classroom only had windows along the top of the outside classroom wall. These windows were not reachable, provided very little natural light & did not open." #onted @sflecce @BurlingtonPost @InsideHalton pic.twitter.com/BmuQiYI2KL
— Fix Our Schools (@Fix_Our_Schools) September 14, 2020
Given that proper ventilation is not possible in many classrooms across the province, other recommendations from the Sick Kids report, such as physical distancing, have taken on even more importance. Yet Doug Ford’s government has not provided sufficient funding to allow for the smaller class sizes that would, in turn, allow for physical distancing in elementary classrooms. Parents, teachers, and education workers across the province have expressed outrage at the Ford government’s refusal to provide a back to school plan that includes physical distancing and yet, Premier Ford and Minister Lecce have continued to refuse to change course.
In fact, on September 17, the official opposition party put forward a motion to cap all class sizes at 15 students.
Remember this, please. https://t.co/fsWMEP3x5r
— David Fisman (@DFisman) September 17, 2020
However, the following PC MPPs all voted against the motion, guaranteeing that class sizes in this province will continue to exceed 15 students, making physical distancing all but impossible in most elementary schools.
Here are the MPPs who voted against a max Class Size of 15. #onpoli #Onted #topoli pic.twitter.com/o24H2jW8jI
— Norm Di Pasquale (@normsworld) September 18, 2020
If you live in a riding with an MPP who voted against smaller class sizes, we encourage you to contact them to express concern that two out of three of the key SickKids recommendations (physical distancing and good ventilation) are not possible in many elementary classrooms. And perhaps ask them to clarify what the Premier meant when he has repeatedly claimed that his government would spare no expense to ensure our children’s safety?