On July 3, OPSBA President Cathy Abraham, Executive Director Rusty Hick and members of senior staff met with the new Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. The face-to-face meeting was an opportunity to congratulate Mr. Lecce and introduce him to our Association and our priorities that support student achievement and well-being. An introductory letter had been sent shortly after he was appointed and OPBSA has extended an invitation for Minister Lecce to attend an upcoming Board of Directors meeting.
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario has risen for summer recess and resumes on Monday, October 28, 2019.
Parliamentary Assistants
On June 26, the Premier announced the Parliamentary Assistants (PA) that are connected to the various cabinet positions. Sam Oosterhoff, the MPP for Niagara West, remains the PA to Minister of Education. Click here for the news release detailing the assignments.
Office of the Ontario Ombudsman
The Ontario Ombudsman, Paul Dubé, released his 2018-2019 annual report detailing the complaints the office has received. The report is divided into subject areas and includes a section on Education. There number of overall “Education” complaints was down slightly from the year before and the top complaints included: board employee and staff conduct; special education; exclusions/access; and transportation. Of note, as of May 1, the Ombudsman’s oversight now includes child protection issues (formerly under the domain of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth) and French Language services.
A formal investigation was launched in October 2019 regarding a Near North District School Board’s pupil accommodation review. The final report has yet to be released.
Curriculum Releases – Grade 10 Career Studies Course
On July 2, Minister Lecce released the revised Grade 10 Career Studies Course, which is to be implemented in September 2019, with a central focus on the jobs of the future. The course, “includes learning on financial literacy and an enhanced focus on career pathways, such as apprenticeships in the skilled trades.”
Click here for the news release
Click here for OPSBA’s response to the last Fall’s Consultation: Education in Ontario
