PASMA: Students are an afterthought for Ford and Calandra

QUEEN’S PARK –– As the Ford government appoints an EQAO “review panel” in its latest overreach into Ontario classrooms, Official Opposition Shadow Education Minister Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West––Nepean) continues to urge them to finally put students first.

“It’s unclear who this panel is supposed to benefit, but it’s difficult to see how it could be students,” said Pasma. “If Minister Calandra and the Ford government had the best interests of our children anywhere near top of mind, they would have appointed people with experience in classrooms or delivering better outcomes for students.

“Once again, Minister Calandra has hand-picked people from outside the education system to fix problems that the Conservatives have created. We know what our schools need; more funding, smaller class sizes, and more qualified adults. Adding overpaid, unqualified bureaucrats doesn’t help students succeed, it only lets Doug Ford and Minister Calandra hide from accountability.

“If the Ford government wants to help students succeed, they should fund our schools. Full stop.”