Ontario Continuing to Make Schools Safer
October 25, 2018QUEEN’S PARK – Today, MPP Vic Fedeli announced that Ontario’s Government for the People has proposed legislative amendments that, if passed, would help keep children and students in Nipissing safer and ensure that they are better supported in their learning.
The government has proposed legislative amendments that would, if passed:
- Mandate all new teachers to successfully complete a math content knowledge test before seeking their teaching registration.
- Require the Discipline Committees of the Ontario College of Teachers and College of Early Childhood Educators to revoke an educator’s certificate of registration for any act of sexual abuse of a student or child.
- Provide regulation making authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to prescribe other criminal offences of a sexual nature that would result in the mandatory revocation of an educator’s certificate of registration.
“Our government is making these changes to ensure parents know that Ontario will continue to be one of the best education systems in the world,” said Fedeli. “Our legislation will prepare all students for the economy of the future.”
The Province also intends to proclaim existing provisions of legislation into effect that will ensure students and children who have been subjected to alleged sexual abuse by a member of the Ontario College of Teachers or College of Early Childhood Educators, have access to the counselling and therapy supports they need.
“By making these changes, we are sending out a clear message: the government has zero tolerance for sexual abuse of Ontario students and children. We are taking action now to make our schools and early years and child care centres are safe learning environments,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Education.
Parents, students and educators currently have the opportunity to participate in a broad education consultation this fall. Topics will include improving performance in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines, better preparing students with needed job and life skills, making changes to mathematics and health and physical education curriculums, and the use of technology in the classroom.
Parents can also weigh in on what elements are important to include in a Ministry of Education Parents’ Bill of Rights.
For more detail and information, visit fortheparents.ca.