| CLASS SIZES IN NEPEAN-CARLETON OUT OF CONTROL |
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| Thursday, 12 October 2006 19:00 |
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MacLeod says McGuinty and company get an F for class size promise QUEEN’S PARK – Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod today questioned the McGuinty government on unacceptably large class sizes in Nepean-Carleton. “During the say-anything-to-get-elected election in 2003, the so-called Education Premier promised a hard-cap of 20 students per class in, and I quote, ‘the all important early years’,” said MacLeod. MacLeod went on to read a letter from a concerned parent in her constituency. “Upon finding out in the first week of school that my oldest daughter’s class size was sitting at 37 and that it was a grade 4/5 split French Immersion, I decided to wait out my concerns. Thursday, I attended the school’s open house and visited the portable where my daughter spends the first part of her day in, which is French. Another parent raised her hand and asked the teacher what the exact number of children was. The teacher answered that it was down to 35. It is not only the number of the children in the class, but more so that it is a split one. Out of a 2 ½ hour time slot, minus prayers and the Anthem, and recess, these children are only actually being taught for one hour each.” MacLeod would like the minister of education to answer if the McGuinty government thinks children in grades four and five are in their “all important years”, of if this government will just say anything to get elected. The McGuinty Liberals promised to limit class sizes from kindergarten to grade three, but seem to take no responsibility for out of control class sizes in grades four and above. - 30 - For more information: Stephen Gilman, Executive Assistant Phone: 613-823-2116 Cell: 613- 297-2051 |