As students from the six local intermediate and/or secondary schools walked out of classes this afternoon, MPP Vic Fedeli posted to his Facebook page his thoughts on the subject:
I am deeply concerned about the ‘student’ walkouts today.
Our teachers have a responsibility to parents here. Schools should be a place for learning – not for pushing ideological agendas.
Ontario’s teachers unions are clearly aiding and encouraging this walk-out and using our students as bargaining chips for their own personal gain.
While the unions use the classroom as soapbox, and our children as pawns – our government is focusing on the real challenges facing our education system – such as the fact that too many of our students are failing math.
I say to any parent who is concerned about individual misconduct from teachers encouraging this walk-out, to contact the Ontario College of Teachers – which regulates teachers across the province.
Student leaders met with media at the walkout at Chippewa Intermediate and Secondary School and spoke about the issues the Students Say No group was protesting. Walkout organizer Mikaila Kimball raised objections to increased class sizes and cuts in funding. Asked how she felt about the turnout, she said “I am proud of these students that are here standing up for what they believe in…This is all student-organized, I am a core organizer with the rest of the committee from rest of the high schools. It is completely student-organized, there is no teacher influence.”
Representatives from each school indicated they had co-authored a letter to be signed by the students who were additionally protesting teacher job cuts and changes to Indigenous content. The letter, including student signatures, will be delivered to MPP Fedeli.
