Teachers’ job action keenly felt in East York

Elementary school teachers across Ontario are on a rotating strike, and a one-day walkout is due in Toronto sometime next week.

It may just be one day, but the impact will be significant here in East York. The youth population here is growing. According to the 2011 census, the Thorncliffe Park area has the most kids under 14 in the entire city.

The fact that the walkout is a rotating one leaves some parents wondering when they’re going to be affected. They’ll get 72 hours notice.

But the bigger question is how long this job action will last, and what forms it will take in the new year.

“I’m really upset about the teachers going on strike,” said Daniela Ambrico, an East York resident and mother of two. “I don’t want my daughter to lose any days of school. I really hope this gets resolved before they go back in the new year.”

In the meantime, while next week’s strike might seem like an early holiday for the students, the parents don’t quite see it that way.

The only thing that makes the strike not seem so drastically horrible is the fact that it is happening right before Christmas, when most substantive schoolwork has hopefully been completed.

But not only is there the issue that Ontario children will be missing out on days of school, but parents will have to go out of their way to ensure that they have someone who will be able to watch their kids while they are at home.

“I work full-time. If my daughter isn’t in school, I’m going to have to find someone to make sure she is being looked after,” Ambrico said.

Hopefully matters will be settled soon, so that parents in East York and beyond don’t have to worry about their children’s education being compromised for a significant amount of time.

About this article

By: Melissa LoParco
Posted: Dec 13 2012 2:17 pm
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Filed under: Opinion