Gerard Kennedy, Minister of Education Statement to the Legislative Assembly


Ontario's Education Investment

May 12, 2005

Mr. Speaker, the McGuinty government has demonstrated throughout our mandate that we not only support our publicly funded education system – we stand for it.

Our Premier is working hard to be the education Premier.

We believe that our government and our province can only be successful if our students are successful first.

That is why yesterday’s budget included another significant investment in our publicly funded education system, even in a time of significant fiscal pressure. Within the next school year, we will have met 100 per cent of the value of funding improvements that Dr. Rozanski called for.

Those dollars were hard to find. But Ontario’s publicly funded education system has been at a crossroads.

After years of cuts by the previous government, we are making the tough decisions needed to ensure we can invest in our students and schools once again. And we are investing wisely.

The budget includes new money to keep reducing class sizes in the early grades so our youngest students don’t get lost in the crowd. To hire new specialist teachers for music, the arts and physical education. And to provide more training and resources for our elementary teachers, so they can help students improve in reading, writing and math.

Our ongoing education investment also means that all high school students and, in particular, those who are struggling will get the help they need:

  • More teachers to work with students that need extra help
  • Student success leaders in every school board
  • Lowered class sizes
  • More flexibility, so the system can adapt to meet students’ needs
  • More innovative projects to improve graduation rates and reduce dropout rates and
  • Expanded technological education programs.

Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to ensure that all Ontario students, including those in small, rural communities, have an equal opportunity for a quality education. We have set aside money in this year’s budget to help keep small schools open and help them to flourish.

We also know that students can’t learn in crumbling schools. We are providing school boards with the funding they need to repair, expand and replace schools.

But the progress of all of our initiatives I have just described hinges on one thing — peace and stability in our schools.

For the first time in a long time, Ontarians have a provincial government that is working in partnership with teachers, education workers and school boards.

This approach has led to a framework to assist successful local agreements between the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.

We also have agreement on a provincial policy that provides a framework to assist successful local bargaining between school boards and public English-language high school teachers.

The framework provides for fair and reasonable salary increases and four-year contract terms. Most importantly, it promotes a shared agenda of improvements and peace and stability for students.

Mr. Speaker, there is much more to do.

A strong publicly funded education system is the key to unlocking potential and building an even brighter future for our students.

The budget confirms the commitment of our Premier and our government to an Ontario education advantage.

It continues to be this government’s first priority.

Thank you.