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Delegates to the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) annual meeting yesterday unanimously approved a resolution to develop a campaign to keep teachers in kindergarten classrooms and protect the integrity of the teaching profession.
The resolution also reflects the concern that kindergartens will suffer the same fate as many elementary school libraries, where teacher-librarians have been replaced by library technicians.
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The resolution is in response to the government's proposed model for full-day Kindergarten, which includes having only a half-time kindergarten teacher with the students during a full-day at school.
"The inference that was made in the advisory report to the government on full-day Kindergarten is that there is something wrong with the current program. A majority of Ontarians think otherwise," said ETFO President David Clegg.
"An overwhelming majority of Ontarians polled in a recent Environics survey feel it is important that full-day kindergarten programs continue to be delivered by kindergarten teachers. Clearly a majority of Ontarians feel that a full-day kindergarten program taught by certified teachers for the full-day is the best solution to meet the learning needs of four- and five-year olds," Clegg said.
"Through our campaign, we will demonstrate that certified teachers occupy the most critical role in educating young children and that limiting their time in Ontario's elementary classrooms is highly irresponsible and a step backward for elementary education."
- reprinted from CNW TELBEC