Pasma: Classrooms need real and sustainable funding, not band-aid solutions

OTTAWA — Following the Ontario government’s announcement of a new Classroom Supplies Fund for elementary homeroom teachers, NDP Shadow Minister for Education MPP Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West – Nepean) released the following statement:

“Teachers should never have to pay out of pocket for basic classroom supplies,” said MPP Pasma. “We all want Ontario students to succeed. This announcement is a band-aid solution that ignores the chronic underfunding in our classrooms.

“Teachers and families are asking for real investments in our classrooms; including smaller class sizes, more staff, and the supports students need to thrive. Instead of tackling those challenges, Ford and his Conservatives are focused on a partisan power grab in our education system.

“Students succeed when classrooms are properly funded and supported, and that is where the government’s attention should be — providing real and sustainable funding for classrooms, and ensuring all of the resources are there without teachers having to go out and buy them, not massive salaries for overpaid political insiders.”