NDP Leader Andrea Horwath takes aim at school fees and fundraising
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath vowed today to ban the practice of charging course fees in Ontario high schools.
In a discussion with 13-year-old Ryan Rocca, a Breakfast Television personality, Horwath said it is time that students were guaranteed the right to attend school without paying a fee.
“Parents are struggling just to keep up,” warned Horwath. “A growing reliance on fundraising and fees is creating have and have-not schools. No one wants a two-tier education system.”
Even though provincial guidelines restrict Ontario schools from charging for textbooks, workbooks, musical instruments, science labs or any flat fees for courses leading to graduation, cash-starved schools continue to charge fees. To off-set revenue lost from fees, New Democrats will provide high schools with an additional $20 million.
New Democrats will also provide parent councils at each school with a per capita grant to allocate to clubs, teams, and special events. This additional $20 million a year investment will compensate schools for lost revenue.
Horwath also promised to launch a pilot project that would allow parent councils at schools with a strong track record of fundraising to partner with schools that raise less.
“Everyday people must be able to have faith in their public schools,” said the NDP leader. “We will ensure our schools are well resourced, rich learning environments, and not dependent on fees and parent fundraising.”
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