This action has been taken by the teachers in response to Bill 160 which
gives complete and absolute control of all aspects of education to the
Minister of Education and a small number of his cohorts - there would be
no debate, no democratic process and no need to pass legislation. It is
difficult to summarize this massive bill (236 pages) in a few sentences
but suffice it to say that our current government sees education as a
business which is charged with turning out a "high end" product (as
measured on standardized tests) at the the lowest possible costs. Those
of us in the teaching professions here in Ontario, with the support of
many of our parents and students, are attempting to stop the passage of
this frightening bill. This will not be easily accomplished. The
government is seeking injunctions from the courts to "compel" us to
return to the classroom and is threatening to fine individual teachers
$1000 per day.
Thought members of this list might be interested.
Connie Mayer
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto
cmayer who-is-at oise.utoronto.ca