Chronic underfunding of public education responsible for rise in violence

TORONTO, ON – An alarming number (77 per cent) of members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) say they have personally experienced violence or witnessed violence against another staff member, according to a survey conducted for the Federation in February and March 2023.

“Learning is being disrupted and violence is being normalized in schools because the Ford government refuses to adequately invest in public education. The system is suffering from chronic underfunding, under-resourcing, and understaffing, creating environments where student needs are going unmet,” says ETFO President Karen Brown. “The province must provide adequate funding so learning and working environments are physically and psychologically safe for students, teachers, and education workers.”

TORONTO, ON – Education Week, which takes place annually during the first week of May, is an opportunity to recognize the magic that happens in public schools across Ontario each day. It’s also a reminder that public education is worth protecting given its invaluable role in giving every child an equitable chance for success.

“The magic of teaching is challenging to describe, yet it is unmistakably special when witnessed in person, in schools each and every day,” says Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) President Karen Brown. “Physical classrooms are environments where children are supported to thrive—where they can explore, take risks, and receive one-on-one attention and care from educators. The commitment and professionalism of educators are what continue to sustain our public schools.”

TORONTO, ON – Below is a statement from Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) following today’s provincial budget announcement:

“The provincial government had the opportunity to strengthen public education in Ontario through this year’s budget, but instead they are forcing school boards to make cuts to services, which means cuts to student supports. This budget ignores rising costs due to inflation and ongoing pandemic-related pressures on public schools.

Instead of supporting workers and the public services Ontarians rely on, the Ford government has chosen to continue to provide billions of dollars in tax giveaways to corporations, and end workers’ access to three paid sick days.

There seems to be a deliberate dismissal of public education as a sector that needs investment and attention. The government has once again ignored recommendations from ETFO and other education stakeholders. Our budget recommendations would have helped undo the damage caused by years of funding cuts.

TORONTO, ON – In new data released today by People for Education, principals report that students and school staff are under “severe stress,” and that mental health and well-being are their top priorities. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) continues to call on the province to provide adequate mental health resources and funding, and on school boards to deliver the comprehensive supports educators and students need.

TORONTO, ON – As we begin Black History Month 2023, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) reaffirms its solidarity with the United Nations in demanding the protection of human rights of people of African descent.

Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians, as well as to address the gaps that continue to negatively impact Black Canadians.

TORONTO, ON – The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and other unions have won a major court victory at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The Court found that the Ontario government’s decision, under Bill 124, to impose a three-year wage freeze for ETFO members and other public service workers was unconstitutional and violated workers’ collective bargaining rights. The decision does not address a remedy for this Charter violation.

“Given the content and timing of the legislation in 2019—in the midst of negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements in the education sector—Bill 124 was a direct attack on teachers and education workers,” says ETFO President Karen Brown. “Today’s decision reinforces what we have known all along: Bill 124 violates the democratic rights of all workers in Ontario’s public sector and is a clear violation of ETFO members’ freedom of association as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

TORONTO, ON – Once again, the Ford government has delivered a fall economic statement that ignores students, educators, and other education workers. Despite expected growing surpluses over the next few years, the government is projected to underfund public education by $6 billion over the next six years.