| The Toronto Star printed a story Dec. 12 entitled Schools for Deaf may be Parent Run. The article quoted Dana Clark, Chair of the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Council, and Rob Savage from the office of the Ministry of Education. It did not quote OPSEU or the Teacher's
Union FOPSAT/OSSTF, even though both Unions' representatives have been interviewed at length by the Star. Alicia Czekierda, OPSEU MERC Chair for the Ministry of Education, responded swiftly with this letter to the editor of the Star. |
December 12, 2001
Editor,
Toronto Star
One Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E6
Dear Editor,
Today's story "Schools for Deaf May be Parent Run," leaves the impression
that all parents of students in the Provincial and Demonstration Schools
support the proposal to download these schools for the deaf, blind,
deaf-blind, and learning disabled children.
In fact, OPSEU members who work in these schools have spoken to many parents
who share our Union's concerns about the government's agenda in promoting a
process that will lead to divestment of these schools. Is a group of parents
behind this plan or is it really just the Conservative government?
Frankly, given the Tory government's track record of mistakes in
downloading, divestment and privatization, many parents and staff are
frightened. If funding levels are reduced parents may be left on the hook.
They might be in the same position as school boards and other agencies >
funded by this government - left to make their own cuts to programs or run
deficits. Will severely disabled children who require more resources still
be able to attend the divested schools, or will parents have to pick and
choose? Will the government sell off the valuable real estate these schools
sit on before divestment?
We all know what happens when the Tories privatize, download and divest
public services. Don't ask us, ask the Provincial Auditor, who in his recent
report criticized the government's privatization of public services.
OPSEU members say the government must live up to its responsibility to
properly fund and operate our Provincial and Demonstration Schools. We have
no choice but to reinvest in our public services, including these schools
for our most vulnerable children.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Alicia Czekierda
Chairperson for Ministry of Education, OPSEU
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