Concise provincial statement required

As a retired elementary school principal, I believe teacher comments on report cards are quite important. The comment section of a child’s report card is a splendid opportunity for teachers to carefully synthesize their assessment instruments and report student progress to parents in a detailed, meaningful and professional manner.

Before my signature was placed on the bottom of every child’s report card at my school, I thoroughly read the comment section and occasionally did some editing when required.

Parents look forward to reading their child’s report card; they have the right to see report cards that are totally complete!

It appears some or many Catholic school teachers, under their interpretation of the term “work-to-rule” are opting to forgo writing the the important comment sections on children’s report cards.

Are these Catholic teachers behaving appropriately? Let’s examine Section 20, Ontario Education Act/Regulation 298, item (i). It states a teacher “shall” ... “ensure that report cards are fully and properly completed ...”

If some Catholic teachers choose not to complete the comment section of report cards, would these individuals be in violation of the regulations relative tp the Education Act?

Since being retired from education for 15 years, I have several questions that need clarification.

Are Catholic teachers and OECTA rep Marie Balanowski knowledgeable about Section 20, Regulation 298, Education Act of Ontario? They should be.

Are the regulations set out in the act no longer relevant? If so, why have them?

What’s to prevent a continuous work-torule position by all teachers, in many school boards, across Ontario? A determined, lengthy and successful work-to-rule position would not imperil teachers’ salaries; however, a strike would.

Direct meetings with MPPs need to immediately occur to clarify important provincial legislation relative to the Education Act and OECTA’s position concerning their interpretation pf work-to-rule. A clear, concise provincial statement is immediately required!

Answers for these work-to-rule questions should also respectfully be directed to OECTA representative Marie Balanowski, whose Welland office is located at 610 Broadway, 905-735-7015.

I also urge readers to revisit my original letter to the editor which states: “I respect that teachers have the right to work-to-rule.” I merely added that the school board, principals, school council members, parents, stakeholders, etc., have the right to ensure Catholic teachers do indeed work to the rules.

Claude Zorzetto Niagara Falls