Editor:
It seems that the Minister of Education is trying to divert our attention from critical issues impacting public education.
His latest announcements about change to the School Act are like icing on a cake. Even with promises that locally elected boards will consult and make decisions about the 'balanced calendar', I find it difficult to believe this is the key ingredient in achieving better learning outcomes.
Minister Abbott is masterful at the 'speak' and uses buzz phrases like "every school district has unique needs and challenges" and changes will offer "greater flexibility and choice."
But in examining what is at the heart of our current difficulties, I see no evidence that the school calendar is key.
It is Bill 22 and its devilish details that are at the core of the problems. It's Bill 22 and confrontational changes that are making it more difficult for students, families, educators and communities to work together. It's provincial budget cutbacks that continue to hurt students and teachers and force school boards to tinker with budget shortfalls, scarce resources and few student support services.
Without withdrawing Bill 22 and without a commitment from government to bargain or enter into a process of real mediation, it won't matter whether the icing on the cake is pink, purple or decorated with daisies or rainbows.
School breaks can be scheduled as they are now or in some new version and nothing substantial will improve.
Mr. Abbott, let's get the basic recipe right and once the foundation is back in place then we can consult on the icing and decorations, reach consensus, and happily eat the cake!
Our students, teachers, administrators, support staff and taxpayers deserve it!
Dianne Goldberg
Halfmoon Bay
