NDP Education Critic Rosario Marchese is condemning the corporatization of Ontario’s public education system.

“This creeping corporatization of our public schools is disturbing and a betrayal of the founding principles of public education,” said Marchese. “Every school should be an excellent school – providing teachers with everything they need so they can provide students with the education they deserve. Dalton McGuinty promised to put kids first, instead, he’s allowing our public education system to fall into corporate hands.”

Today trustees at the Toronto District School Board will vote on their first private and corporate sponsorship offer since amending a school board policy that restricts commercial advertising and direct marketing in schools.

If trustees vote in favour of Future Shop’s $50, 000 computer equipment ‘gift’, they would in exchange hand over the computer lab’s naming rights, commit to room redecoration in Future Shop’s grey and red colours, and a wall plaque.

Marchese said the decision would also open the door for the Toronto-wide branding of schools which would lead to lack of educational quality control, unstable, competitive and conditional funding.

“New Democrats are standing up for a properly funded public education system that is accessible to all, not one with corporate strings attached. A strong Ontario needs strong public education,” said Marchese.