The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is calling out the province after its “classroom supplies announcement.”
As previously reported, the Ontario government has announced a new “classroom supplies fund,” which officials said will give elementary school homeroom teachers direct access to about $750 annually for classroom materials.
The announcement has prompted a heated statement from ETFO President David Mastin, saying the public education system “doesn’t need political theatre” but rather real investments.
“For years, educators have spent hundreds of dollars of their own money to ensure students have what they need,” wrote Mastin. “If the government is finally acknowledging this reality, it’s long overdue.
“But let’s be clear: Educators cannot be bought and our commitment to strong public education is not something this government can purchase with a pre?bargaining announcement.”
During its provincial announcement, the province said teachers would have access to a provincial website to order supplies such as notebooks, writing tools, calculators, arts and crafts materials and tissues starting in September, with deliveries co-ordinated directly to schools.
Government officials said this change was aimed at ensuring teachers aren’t paying up-front or waiting for reimbursements when it comes to essential supplies – and that educator and board input will help guide material selections.
Meanwhile, ETFO representatives like Mastin argue the real issue the government needs to address is its ongoing refusal to address chronic underfunding that is forcing educators to subsidize classrooms out of their pockets in the first place.
“Educators know that effective supports for students require stable, adequate provincial funding – not gestures timed to score political points or soften public perception ahead of negotiations,” said Mastin. “Ontario’s public education system doesn’t need political theatre.
“It needs real investment and a government that’s willing to strengthen it, not one trying to build allies through strategically-timed announcements.”
ETFO represents about 84,000 members, which includes elementary teachers, occasional teachers, early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel.
You can read our earlier coverage here.