It mainly comes down to money
One publicly-funded system will cost less, save schools
Catholic school systems were implemented in 1867 to appease the English minority in Quebec and the Catholic minority in Ontario. Ontario is now a multicultural, multi-ethnic, heterogeneous province with many religions represented. Segregation by religion leads to mistrust, misunderstanding and discrimination.
The Catholic school system is not exclusive to Roman Catholics. Students of other faiths are permitted to attend (each student is worth approximately $11,000). However, they are subjected to the Roman Catholic ideology. Section 42[13] of the Education Act provides any separate school student with the opportunity to opt out of all religious courses, programs and activities. Unfortunately, Catholic school boards violate Section 42[13] by putting up barriers for parents to be exempt from religious classes and activities.
Catholic school boards still resist establishing student Gay Straight Alliance Clubs in many Catholic secondary schools. This is contrary to the Education Act principle of inclusivity.
Despite laws governing employment that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, etc., separate school boards discriminate in requiring educators to be practising Roman Catholics who have obtained a pastoral letter from their local priest. This despite the fact that one’s religion has no bearing on his/ her ability to teach. Non-Catholics need not apply.
The Catholic school system is not paid for by separate school supporters. For example, from 2002 to 2011, only six to 11 per cent of the operating expenses for Catholic schools came from residential property taxes from separate school supporters. From 2007-08 to 2010-11, Catholic schools received $1,500 to $3,000 more per student in provincial funding than public schools. The majority of funding comes from provincial general revenues.
Maintaining the four duplicate education systems in Ontario is extremely expensive, especially the “extra” costs that are associated with their operation — for example, operating two, three or four board offices in each jurisdiction. Each board has a director of education, a group of superintendents, support and clerical staff; several different bus systems to transport students; costs for advertising expenses for competing school boards; lack of economy of scale regarding school purchases. The list goes on.
The reality is that Ontario cannot continue to fund four distinct school systems, divided along religious and language lines, which results in smaller and less affordable schools.
Despite Ontario’s political parties’ opposition to changing the status quo, a growing majority of the Ontario public disagrees. Many small towns in Ontario are facing local school closures. Despite parent and community protests, schools are closed and students suffer. Parents understand that a community school could continue to exist if the students from both the Catholic and public schools attended the same school. But politicians lack the political will to act. School closures and increased educational costs across the province are driving the need for change.
The May 2017 Vector Poll results reflect the need for educational change in Ontario.
Seven in 10 Ontario residents support a single public school system and agree that the government should “end the current system of funding both the Catholic and public school boards.”
Some 24 per cent of Catholics strongly support a public system “not connected with any religion.”
Fifty-one per cent of Catholic school parents support a single public school system.
The Vector Poll indicated support for the single public school system is based upon the waste and duplication that comes from having four duplicate school systems. Saving money is the most powerful reason to favour a single school system than resistance to government funding for religious schools.
The poll shows 61 per cent across Ontario who favour a single school system say they support it “more because it would save the government money.” Just 31 per cent want a single system more because they oppose government funding for religious schools.
Among Catholics who support a single school system, overwhelmingly (86 per cent) saving money is the compelling reason.
As more and more schools are being closed across the province and the cost of maintaining four duplicate school systems continues to rise, the public will demand government action. The recent Vector Poll reflects the growing support for a single public school system. Political parties should be wise to take heed.
Malcolm Buchanan writes for the group Civil Rights in Public Education. He lives in Hamilton.