(TORONTO) - June 26, 2020 – The Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) released the following statement today.
Ontario educators are committed to the success of our students and are open to changes to our curriculum that improve learning outcomes. However, the recent announcement by the Ontario government of a new math curriculum to be implemented this fall is unrealistic and counterproductive.
The changes to the math curriculum are substantial and will require significant time, collaboration and new resources to be properly implemented. At a time when school boards and educators are preparing for schools to safely reopen and addressing student learning gaps, it is short-sighted to require that resources be diverted from those efforts to try to comply with an unrealistic two-month timeline set by the government.
AEFO, ETFO, OECTA and OSSTF, who collectively represent teachers and education workers in all publicly funded school boards, call on the government to reconsider its plan and delay the implementation of the new math curriculum.
Instead, a two-year timeline for implementation would provide the government, school boards and educators the necessary time to ensure that adequate professional development takes place and to develop the resources and support that a new curriculum requires.
When schools reopen in the fall, educators will be focused on helping students transition back to school after months of school closures triggered by the pandemic. They will be focused on helping close the learning gaps and addressing mental health needs deepened by the ongoing health crisis and supporting students and their families during these uncertain times. The government should be helping educators and students by directing additional supports and resources to these efforts, instead of creating more uncertainty and additional barriers.For more information, please contact any of the following media relations representatives:
AEFO – Marilyne Guevremont at 613-850-6410, or via email at mguevremont@aefo.on.ca
ETFO – Valerie Dugale at 416-948-0195, or via email at vdugale@etfo.org
OECTA – Michelle Despault at 416-925-2493, ext. 509, or via email at m.despault@catholicteachers.ca
OSSTF/FEESO – Gary Fenn at 416-751-8300, ext. 220, or via email at gary.fenn@osstf.ca