Have Your Say: Let’s hear about the current state of Haldimand’s schools

To the Editors,

CBC Radio’s province-wide, phone-in program, Ontario Today, recently requested listener feedback on Ontario classroom experiences since classes resumed in September. The floodgates opened. Students, parents, and teachers overwhelmed the phone lines.

The program’s producer meticulously screens callers to ensure all sides of any issue under discussion are aired. Over the hour, every caller reported conditions and experiences worse than last year.

A student caller from Simcoe especially caught my interest. His computer class requires hands-on learning, but only one computer is available for every four students. One works and three watch over his or her shoulder. There is not enough time for everyone taking turns to complete assignments. In schools throughout Ontario, classes have been combined and some are so large that there are not enough desks (class sizes above 30 students). Benches or stools may be provided for last arrivals. One-on-one time with students is minimal to non-existent. I know the Minister of Education assured us that “average” class size would be 22.5 students, but I would remind him of the man who drowned in a river that averaged only 10 inches deep.

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