In My Opinion: Paying the price for our underfunded education system
By MARY-MARGARET McMAHON
MPP, BEACHES-EAST YORK
In Beaches-East York, we are lucky to have high quality public schools and childcare options.
As your Member of Provincial Parliament, I know that properly funded and well maintained schools and childcare are key pillars of a livable community, one where everyone is afforded equal opportunity. I believe that education is a basic service our government must prioritize!
When my two kids were at Gledhill P.S., I learned firsthand about all the serious funding constraints. The staff and parents had to get creative to ensure an enriching educational experience for students. This is obviously not a new challenge. But why has it become so dire?
After almost seven years of the Ford Government’s cutbacks and inaction, public education in Ontario has fallen to the wayside. In December, the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) released a report reviewing the state of school buildings that found 84.1 per cent of TDSB (Toronto District School Board) schools below a state of good repair. Ontario would have to invest $31.4 billion over 10 years to clear the infrastructure backlog and maintain school buildings. This is unacceptable!
I recently met with concerned parents and advocates about Secord Elementary School in East York that has been in need of serious renovations for over 10 years! Not only do they have the largest and oldest portable system in the entire TDSB, they will also be welcoming 7,200 proposed residential units to their neighbourhood in the upcoming years. Without a significant expansion and renovation, children moving to the area will have nowhere to go.
In my role as MPP, I brought this matter to Queen’s Park on multiple occasions and asked the government why they wouldn’t make Secord Elementary School a priority for Capital Funding.
The government passed the buck to the TDSB, claiming the School Board is unable to balance their own budget. Meanwhile under their watch, education funding has gone down $976 per student since 2018! I encourage you to watch my questions which can be found on my Youtube channel @marymargaretbey.
It’s clear this government has no respect for students, families, teachers, or staff. We haven’t forgotten Bill 28 and the inappropriate use of the notwithstanding clause to prevent education support workers’ right to strike!
Finally, many of you have reached out to me over the years about the state of your child’s school, or because the daycare in your neighbourhood has been forced to shut its doors.
I am committed to making Beaches-East York the greatest place in Ontario to have a family! This means sufficiently funding schools and childcare centres, respecting the important job of teachers and staff, and creating inclusive environments for children to learn.
I love visiting our local schools, speaking with young learners as well as seeing them on trips to Queen’s Park! I strive to empower them to become strong, future leaders and they truly give me hope.
On Friday, Jan. 31, I am inviting residents to rally with us to put our schools first!
We will gather outside Secord Elementary School, 101 Barrington Ave. (east of Main Street and north of Danforth Avenue). All are welcome. The rally starts at 3 p.m., and we will stay until you are ready to go home!
Invite your children to make a sign to bring. Together, we can work to restore public education in Toronto and create the best, well-funded system our kids and our neighbourhoods need and deserve.
Please join us for our upcoming rally! Let’s do this together!
