"Equitable Education", an OSTA Discussion Paper

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The Ontario Student Trustees' Association (OSTA) presents "Equitable Education? The cost of extracurriculars in Ontario's schools." This discussion paper is a powerful statement on the status of equity in the Ontario education system and a thorough, thoughtful study of the obstacles students face to receiving a rewarding and complete school experience.

A student who walks the halls from class to class and sits at their desk merely waiting, living from bell to bell, is not experiencing the most of their school. The school community and life that comes from excellent extracurriculars is perhaps the most effective way to create student engagement by giving students ownership of their education.

As activity fees continue to rise, more and more students will face a barrier to participation and will become disengaged, especially in our current economic climate.

This is an equity issue, a poverty reduction challenge and a threat to student ownership in education. We need to remedy this problem through concerted action if we are to achieve our goal of reaching every student.

For more information: Jonathan Scott, Director of Policy, OSTA, director.policy@osta-aeco.org