The Ford government of Ontario is currently celebrating an investment nearing a billion dollars in the construction of new schools this fall. However, critics have voiced strong disapproval, highlighting that the province is neglecting the pressing issue of repairs needed for its aging educational infrastructure. They point out that Ontario schools are facing a substantial repair backlog that amounts to $16 billion, with the Toronto region alone accounting for $4.5 billion. Despite these pressing concerns, the provincial government is focusing its narrative on the construction of 25 new schools and 16 school additions scheduled to open this fall.
NDP MPP Education Critic Chandra Pasma has criticized the government for what she describes as disingenuous communication regarding the state of schools. "The minister is being pretty disingenuous to talk about the new schools but not talk about the more than $16 billion repair backlog," she stated. The recent construction efforts have cost the government $889 million, aimed at creating nearly 18,000 student spaces and close to 1,700 childcare spaces to accommodate the needs of growing communities in the province.
David Mastin, the President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, expressed his concerns about the government's priorities. He claims, "To me, it’s not record spending, this is record neglect." According to him, the government’s decisions indicate a preference for new constructions over essential repairs to the existing, deteriorating infrastructure of schools.
In terms of overall investment, the Ford government has announced a total of $30.3 billion in education funding for the current year, labeling it a record investment in the sector. However, critics argue that this figure does not account for inflation and ultimately translates to a reduced budget per student compared to 2018. This has culminated in what they term a total shortfall of $6.3 billion, raising significant concerns about the quality of education being provided.
Pasma emphasizes the consequences of these funding cuts, which she asserts have resulted in issues such as larger class sizes, a shortage of teachers, insufficient mental health support, and cuts to special education programs. These factors, in turn, contribute to what she describes as a growing crisis of violence in schools.
In response to the significant repair backlog, the government has committed to investing $1.3 billion annually in school capital funding. Additionally, they have recently appointed supervisors to take over five school boards, including the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), to tackle financial mismanagement and increasing deficits. This move signals an effort on the government's part to reclaim control and address the ongoing challenges faced in the educational sector.
