Province called on to increase funding to public education

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

IN THE aftermath of the Ontario budget last month, parents and education workers are calling for additional investments in the province’s education system.

Although the Province of Ontario has hailed the new budget as a record-setting amount, many are calling foul play as it appears to them that education been underfunded.

Scarborough Southwest MPP, Doly Begum told Beach Metro Community News that the budget doesn’t do enough to address the growing demands of Ontario schools.

“Bottom line is that ensuring safe, functioning, and well-resourced classrooms for students has to be a top priority for the government – students should not be learning in buildings that are falling apart, and it is disappointing to see the lack of investments from this government,” said Begum, who is also the Deputy Leader of the Ontario NDP, the province’s Official Opposition.

She said that the government’s lack of focus on ensuring classrooms are wellequipped—not only with facilities but also teachers and education workers—is deeply concerning. “The latest budget fails to allocate funding for the TDSB (Toronto District School Board) repair backlog, which has ballooned over the year.”

The Ontario government of Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford has allocated $15 billion in capital grants over 10 years to expand and renew schools and child care spaces. Of this, $2.8 billion will be used in the next fiscal year. However, there is currently a $17 billion repair backlog for elementary and secondary schools in the province, said Begum.

“Schools in our community are falling apart, if you look at the data on the TDSB website, which was last updated in 2021, a lot of Scarborough Southwest schools have urgent facility needs. Students deserve to learn in well-equipped and well-maintained classrooms,” she said.

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Jan is survived by her husband Brian, siblings John David and Susan, children Trevor and Jennifer (Chris), her grandchildren Taylor, Reilly and Cameron along with many friends and family who will miss her dearly.

Jan was a long time resident of the Beach where she met her husband, raised her family and built a community. She was the neighbourhood matriarch and keeper of the keys. Jan was a devoted wife, proud mother to many, grandmother, and friend to all. She cherished long chats with neighbours on the porch, searching for shark’s teeth in Myrtle Beach, baking endless trays of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, farmers market lunches, spending Christmas Eve’s with those near and dear, winning games of scrabble and yahtzee over afternoon tea, and of course, all things red.

She will be remembered for her witty humour, healthy dose of competition, crafty nature, green thumb, and the love she shared so easily with so many.

A celebration of Jan’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to a cause close to your heart.

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

—Winnie The Pooh