In a highly anticipated report due next week, economist Don Drummond will suggest Ontario scrap its full-day kindergarten program to save hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a media report Friday.
Citing a senior government source, the Toronto Sun reported that Drummond proposes axing the program for four-and five-year-olds across the province.
The Liberal government has spent $200 million since it began phasing in the fulltime program in the 2010-11 school year. This year, it plans to spend another $300 million on the program, which is now in 800 schools.
Drummond, a former economist with TD bank, was tasked in the past few months to review Ontario's finances and to help the province bring under control its $16-billion deficit.
His lengthy report, which will be released Wednesday, is expected to put forward dozens of cost-cutting measures.
News of the recommendation drew criticism Friday.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the province's largest teachers' group, called the proposed move "short-sighted and counter-productive."
It says Ontario should look at other ways to cut spending, for example by eliminating mandatory provincewide Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) testing, which is mandatory provincewide testing for students in reading, writing and mathematics. The province can also try reducing corporate tax cuts and loopholes, the group says.
"Full-day kindergarten, along with other government initiatives, like reducing primary size classes, is providing children with a definite advantage and head-start when it comes to developing literacy, numeracy and social skills," ETFO president Sam Hammond said.
A spokeswoman for Premier Dalton McGuinty wouldn't confirm the report, but said the government looks forward to Drummond's recommendations.
"I think it's also very important to note that while we certainly appreciate Mr. Drummond's advice, on all fronts, the government will be moving forward with its own plan," press secretary Neala Bartons said.
Education Minister Laurel Broten was unreachable for comment Friday.
Provincial PC member Lisa MacLeod called the move a political tactic by the Ontario Liberals to have the PCs "baited" into comment on something that has not yet happened.
"Obviously, we're going to wait for the report to see what he has to say," said MacLeod, who is also the party's education critic.
"It's all speculation." MacLeod called the leak an attempt by the Liberals to divert attention from the first day of the PC annual general meeting this weekend in Niagara Falls.
"My opinion is that they're playing politics with families and with kids," she said.
MacLeod said the report should be released early to prevent future leaks to the media.
Original Article
Source: ottawa citizen
Author: Linda Nguyen
Citing a senior government source, the Toronto Sun reported that Drummond proposes axing the program for four-and five-year-olds across the province.
The Liberal government has spent $200 million since it began phasing in the fulltime program in the 2010-11 school year. This year, it plans to spend another $300 million on the program, which is now in 800 schools.
Drummond, a former economist with TD bank, was tasked in the past few months to review Ontario's finances and to help the province bring under control its $16-billion deficit.
His lengthy report, which will be released Wednesday, is expected to put forward dozens of cost-cutting measures.
News of the recommendation drew criticism Friday.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the province's largest teachers' group, called the proposed move "short-sighted and counter-productive."
It says Ontario should look at other ways to cut spending, for example by eliminating mandatory provincewide Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) testing, which is mandatory provincewide testing for students in reading, writing and mathematics. The province can also try reducing corporate tax cuts and loopholes, the group says.
"Full-day kindergarten, along with other government initiatives, like reducing primary size classes, is providing children with a definite advantage and head-start when it comes to developing literacy, numeracy and social skills," ETFO president Sam Hammond said.
A spokeswoman for Premier Dalton McGuinty wouldn't confirm the report, but said the government looks forward to Drummond's recommendations.
"I think it's also very important to note that while we certainly appreciate Mr. Drummond's advice, on all fronts, the government will be moving forward with its own plan," press secretary Neala Bartons said.
Education Minister Laurel Broten was unreachable for comment Friday.
Provincial PC member Lisa MacLeod called the move a political tactic by the Ontario Liberals to have the PCs "baited" into comment on something that has not yet happened.
"Obviously, we're going to wait for the report to see what he has to say," said MacLeod, who is also the party's education critic.
"It's all speculation." MacLeod called the leak an attempt by the Liberals to divert attention from the first day of the PC annual general meeting this weekend in Niagara Falls.
"My opinion is that they're playing politics with families and with kids," she said.
MacLeod said the report should be released early to prevent future leaks to the media.
Original Article
Source: ottawa citizen
Author: Linda Nguyen
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