The first week back to classes for local students will be disrupted by an education strike. Notifications about the strike were sent out on Sunday, January 5th and parents of kindergarten students are encouraged to make alternate arrangements.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 8th) there will be no classes for high school or kindergarten students within the Renfrew County District School Board except for Whitney Public School. The two French public and catholic schools in Renfrew County are also impacted by the one day one walk-out.
Local residents have many different opinions about the upcoming education strike.
Parents we spoke to were frustrated by the situation.
At the same time, many see the benefits of what the teachers union is fighting for.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSFTF/FEESO) and the province have been trying for over eight months to find common ground on increased class sizes, mandatory e-learning and cuts to services for vulnerable students.
Last week, the Minister of Education in Ontario issued a statement saying strikes by unions hurt kids and investments should go to support student success, not towards enhanced compensation.
The OSSTF/FEESO represents secondary teachers, early childhood educators and secondary office managers in Renfrew County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Read the full statement from the OSSTF/FEESO on their website here.
Read the full statement from the Minister of Education here.
Read the full statement from the Renfrew County District School Board here.
Read the full statement from the Equinoxe school in Pembroke (Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario) here.
Read the full statement from Jeanne-Lajoie school in Pembroke (Conseil des écoles catholique du Centre-Est) here.
