A relief students on visas won’t be punished

Re Officials ease students’ visa fears amid strike, Oct. 23 As a community college teacher of English and ESL, I am relieved to read that our international students needn’t worry about extending their visas or work permits while teachers are out on strike. Many of them are missing weeks of essential English language learning besides jeopardizing their professional training and co-op opportunities.

Because 70 per cent of ESL and English courses are taught by part-time contract faculty, students who need extra help are met with closed office doors rather than a professor ready to offer additional help. Our international students deserve better. Mary Gerritsma, Toronto