The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education Co-Executive Directors had the opportunity to meet with the new Honourable Minister of Education Jill Dunlop at the Ministry of Education office in downtown Toronto.
The new Minister took the time to discuss items that are pertaining to the education of our children in publicly funded Catholic education across the province.
With the introduction of Bill 98 and the new legislation that has come into effect as a result, OAPCE continues to advocate and encourage a better learning environment for all of our children in the education system.
The introduction of PPM 112 / Smart Phone Restrictions/Vaping Policy was discussed as OAPCE has a seat on the ministry Task Force for the implementation and recommendations for this initiative.
The creation and implementation of the Guest Speaker approval list and subsequent vetting and approval policy requirement – through communications of parents across the province it was noted that different Boards are in various stages of implementation and hope that more communication regarding its execution be sent out to parents.
As always, parents are vocal about ensuring that the curriculum is the core of what is being taught in the classroom and safeguarding that our faith is paramount through all teachings in the school.
We thank the Minister for her dedication and time to this new portfolio and welcome any opportunity to provide insight and input on behalf of the many parents that we engage with and represent across the province.
It is our hope as we move forward together to improve education for children across the province that our ability to make policy recommendations will positively impact their lives in the future.