Ontario Election, 2007 - Information Bulletin # 11

MINORITY RIGHTS FOR EDUCATION IN ONTARIO: PHILOSOPHIES OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Concern

	Media response to the PC position to “fund faith-based schools” has encouraged a wild debate in Ontario, though not elsewhere! Regretfully very few voters are paying attention to the significant differences in worldview which shape the actual party positions on education.

Principles

	Here are the five philosophies of education behind the proposals of the five serious parties, which will shape Ontario education policy this decade.

	1.	Unified Secular System

		All students are entitled to the same educational opportunities provided by the state. There should be no special status for minorities on education, just specialty schools for all student needs. “We will remove duplicate administrative, facility and transportation costs.” “There will be a referendum on unification.” (Green Party)

	2.	Deregulated Systems with Voucher

		All families are entitled to choose any type of school they wish. There are no special status minorities in education, as all schools become specialty schools with the same funding mechanism, the child education cheque. The Ministry of Education will be expected to impose strict moral standards on all schools especially to ensure freedom from sexual indoctrination. (Family Coalition Party)

	3.	Unified Status Quo

		All students are entitled to the same educational benefits provided by the public system. Religious minorities are entitled to opt out and operate private schools. The special privileges of the Catholics are an historic accident which is a fact of life, not a human rights issue to be addressed. The current systems are under-funded. (NDP)

	4.	Integrated Social System

		All students are encouraged to be in the public system, which should soon become the best in the world. The separate school system will remain for now but be blended in a harmonious whole. Private religious schools will be either ignored or put out of business by new specialty schools in all public boards. (Liberal)

	5.	Federated Systems with Regulated Minority Options

		All students are encouraged to become part of the broad umbrella of public education which will be expanded to include private faith-based schools that meet three basic accountability principles. The special constitutional position of current minorities will be respected and expanded to fit the multiculturalism of the 21st century. (PC)

Talking Points

	6.	The key differences in terms of presence or absence of minority group rights in the policies about school choice are significant.

	7.	Go to all the party websites and study their positions, their priorities and their education record. How many have a clear philosophy?

	8.	*The OACS preferred philosophic position is one called the Open Federated Systems. It is not on the list above. Pity!*

Ontario Election, 2007 - Information Bulletin # 11

MINORITY RIGHTS FOR EDUCATION IN ONTARIO:

PHILOSOPHIES OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Concern

Principles

Talking Points

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