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Independent schools and alternative education are misunderstood in the province of Ontario. Here are some of the most often-asked questions about these schools and the families that choose them. Public opinion can be changed if we all take the time to learn a little more about these schools and appreciate the amazing contributions their graduates make to this province! Can the government afford to extend funding to independent schools? What is the cost of justice?Our children have to be educated whether in a public, separate or independent school. The government is obligated to provide for the education of every child in the province and should not shirk its responsibilities.If there are 140,000 children in the province in independent schools and home schools and it would cost the province $9500 to educate each of them in the public system, the province is currently enjoying an annual savings of 1 billion dollars with all of these children attending elsewhere. If the real reason for denying justice in education funding was indeed financial, it would be more economical for the government to give a percentage grant of the provincial cost per putpil to schools (up to 50%) for each student in an independent school. This would save them considerable amounts of money and see them honour their obligation to all the province's children. Independent schools are well-known for providing excellent education that meets and often exceeds provincial standards at a lower cost per pupil than the public schools and would welcome percentage grants from the government. If the government funds independent schools, will this fragment and erode the public systems?Government funding for independent schools is not a new idea and Ontario would not be trailblazing by doing so. 5 provinces, 37 American states and more than half the countries in the western world already enjoy government supported school choice.When funding was introduced in these other jurisdictions, in particular the Canadian provinces, there was not a mass exodus of public school students to independent schools. In fact 90% of students still attend public schools in those jurisdictions. And ALL schools in those jurisdictions continue to thrive both economically and with respect to student performance. Do independent schools segregate children and promote intolerance? Is social cohesion really at risk?Roman Catholic schools in Ontario have enjoyed full provincial funding since 1985 (since this system's funding advantage is enshrined in the Constitution) and there is no evidence that allowing children to attend this faith-based school system has broken down social cohesion in the province.In fact, the contributions of the graduates of these schools for the last 100 years to the economy and society in general, make a lie of this fear of segregation. Independent schools are committed to educating for responsible citizenship. There are studies in British Columbia and Alberta show that children in independent schools are slightly more tolerant than their counterpart in public schools. History has shown us that whenever peoples' identities have been suppressed, intolerance and segregation has occurred. Nations which desire to promote tolerance and understanding allow full freedom of expression for their religious, cultural and racial diversities. Are independent schools elitist?Government policies of non funding restrict access to these schools since, in most cases, only middle and upper income families can afford to pay fees in addition to their education taxes.Most independent school admission policies are selective only in the sense that they require acceptance of the schools' values, philosophy or religious focus. Financially, the average independent school parent earns the same as or less than the average public school parent. Most independent schools have bursaries or accommodate others who have difficulty meeting financial obligations. Moreover, the independent schools usually draw students from a much wider cross-section of society than the public system where there is often a socio-economic elitism based on geography. What does religion have to do with education?All education has a religious dimension if you define religion to include values, morals, ethics and attitudes based on some belief system.About two thirds of the independent schools in Ontario have a specific religious focus indicating that families see the need to have the religious beliefs of the home reinforced in the school curriculum. A multi-faith religious course should be compulsory for all high schools students to help them better understand world history, English literature and current event. The parents and not the government should decide the value of religion in education for their children. What about Charter Schools?Charter Schools operate under the public system on the basis of a charter or contract between a group of parents and the province or local board of education. There are several Charter Schools in the United States and recently in Alberta.Charter Schools, Associated Schools, Alternative Schools and also independent schools all have the same objectives. They give parents more choice in their child's education. Any form of association with a public board needs to have clear protection in law. Do home schooled children develop good social skills and become well-prepared for entering school later?Studies have shown that home schooled children integrate well into other schools and society. The social skills in the playground and on the bus, with limited supervision, are not always acceptable to families.Many home schooling families are in support groups for shared activities. |
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