More than 90% of Ontario schools lack mental health support, report says, Feb. 27
While this report from People for Education on the state of mental health support in schools in Ontario is a damning indictment of the provincial government, there is more going on behind the scenes.
In its last finance, budget and enrolment committee on Feb. 15, the Toronto District School Board floated the need to cut staff to balance the budget for the next school year, as a result of losing pandemic funding, and general underfunding by the Ministry of Education.
In the midst of a clear student mental health crisis, and the recent media reports of increasing violence in schools, the TDSB is looking to cut 16 social workers, 48 school safety monitors, 78.5 caretakers, 45 child and youth workers/counsellors, 200 lunchroom supervisors, and 28.5 office support staff. These staff are working on the front lines of these overlapping crises, often completely overloaded with cases and workload. To even consider these cuts is unconscionable.
The trustees voted to write a strongly worded letter. Fine, but what they, and the rest of us, should be doing is screaming from the rooftops.
Jonathan LeFresne, Toronto
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