Just a ridiculous education protest... :(

Well, anyone following education news for the last several months in Ontario knows about the problems, especially with Bill 115.

I personally didn't agree with the law - it took decades of collective bargaining and destroyed it.  However, the reaction from the public teacher federations, ETFO and OSSTF have been lacking as well.

In recent days, it was announced that elementary teachers were going to stage a one day walkout, which was to have happened today, but the Ontario Labour Board ruled it illegal, and it was cancelled.

Having the protest, especially barely a month after a legal one in December was ridiculous.  All this trouble has only lost my profession even more support from the public.

However, I also take issue with  the Labour Board - did they really have to take until 4am today to rule on this??? I'm no lawyer, but since we were no longer in a legal strike position anymore, the decision should have been easy.  Not to mention that some boards still decided to either close schools or not run buses.

Hello?  Most snow days aren't officially called until 6am.  Even at 4am this morning, there was still plenty of time to get buses running for elementary students today.  Ridiculous.

I've tried very hard to stay out of the political crap when it comes to teaching. As a supply teacher on both sides, I'm actually a member of both feds. I was upset when ETFO did the one day strike last month - I was told I had to participate, even though I work on both sides of the fence, and the elementary side only accounts for 20% or less of my work. I was told I couldn't work, even on the secondary side that day, which I felt was incredibly unfair.  

There needs to be some big changes in education in Ontario.  Supply/Temporary teachers get the shaft, no benefits or job security - out of work up to 3-4 months of the year. Most boards in the last few years have been hiring teachers almost exclusively on a temporary basis. Add to the fact that we have a HUGE over supply of teachers right now.  The government and the Ontairo College of Teachers needs to regulate the number of people taking education degrees.  In the last few years, Ontario has been overproducing approximately 7600 more teachers than needed every year.  Seeing up to 200 teachers apply for one position is not unusual.

I hope with a new Liberal leader and/or new election that there will be some positive change and peace in education in Ontario... we desperately need it! 

And Breaking news: OSSTF has said it will be cancelling its planned protest next Wednesday! :)  

Ontario Liberals Out Of Touch

Wow... just read the following column in the Sun by Christine Blizzard: http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/christina_blizzard/2011/03/08/17543351.html

Apparently, according to Mr. Murray, if you live in the sticks, like myself, you are a "right wing reactionary homophobe".  He certainly has a lot of gall.  I'm quite frankly offended by this comment.  When that new sex-ed curriculum came out, its was clearly not age appropriate.  Being a teacher I read it and it didn't make sense.  Some of the topics to be covered with younger students were just too complicated and in my humble opinion too high above even the brightest of pupils.  One of the few decent things Premier McGuinty did was the rethink that idea and shelved it.

Mr. Murray, please, for your own sake think before you speak in public.  Your government has already burned plenty of bridges with the electorate... but if you want to find new work after October 6, please continue.  I think a large number of previous Liberal voters will be looking to other alternatives in the next election.

I have written an email to Mr. Murray as well... I'm interested to see what the response may be.