Local secondary school teachers take to the streets with their message

Despite rain and cold winds, the teachers of Saugeen District Senior School (SDSS) took to the streets on Wednesday, November 27th – the corners of Green and Goderich Streets in Port Elgin to be exact.

 

They were there to hand out leaflets to passersby to explain the negotiations that the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) are currently undergoing with the Ontario government.

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According to the teachers’ 60,000 strong union, it is seeking, among others things, a reduction in class sizes and the elimination of mandatory e-learning that the government introduced and which was recently reduced from four to two courses.  The teachers are presently in a work-to-rule situation with the possibility of a full one-day strike next Wednesday, December 4th if an agreement with the government cannot be reached.

Don Matheson, Branch President and Spokesperson for the SDSS teachers confirmed that class sizes were an issue and that e-learning is particularly difficult in a rural area (such as Bruce County) where internet access can be a problem and that there are not enough computers in the schools for students.

Matheson pointed out that the students are not involved in the demonstrations and that they are expected to continue to take place throughout the community until Tuesday, December 3rd.