Are all of our students’ needs being met in Ontario?

BY STEVEN KASZAB

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will be sounding the alarm on where Ontario students are being left behind, or possibly forgotten within an education system not fully funded.

Ontario’s student body is made up of many different people. Most are healthy and ready to jump into the curriculum, but then like any sector of the population Ontario also has many children/students with special needs. In the past, many of these students were forced to stay home and receive home schooling from their family. Scientific studies proved that these students improved in learning functions if they were within a group of active students, seen as a part of what many call a normal school day. This placed both a challenge and pressure upon the teaching sector and the education portfolio. Where would they find teachers that could handle the challenges of teaching both groups of students while not making one more privileged than the other?

Students that are autistic, handicapped, socially and mentally challenged face both financial and unintended prejudice daily. Not enough specially trained teachers, funds, or time to learn. The parents and guardians of these children, students and even adults often face psychological and financial challenges that can often break them psychologically, and financially into bankruptcy and social ruin.

“There are two ways of meeting difficulties; you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them”

What can all involved really do? They’re efforts are controlled and manipulated by high costs, and societal challenges. Special students may need to be in special schools taught and cared for by professionals talented not just in teaching, but also in nursing, psychology and social work, but many in society point to the bad old days when “special people” were sent to institutions. The stigma of such institutions is still felt today.

An idea that can help everyone involved. Let’s bring into the mix the insurance sector, a sector that will always be looking for a new way to make profits for itself while assisting its clients.

When a child is born, each parent is required to join and pay for an insurance plan, a plan that would be initiated once the child’s mental and physical abilities develop at home, or school. If a child has developmental difficulties that require financial investment such as: healthcare equipment at home (or school), or a special education professional is needed, it would be supplied through the partnership of insurance firms and the education department.

Financial needs can be met by the investments of the insurance firm, which would not limit a child’s progress due to lacking teachers, equipment or funds. Teaching assistants, special integrated education programs can be developed quickly by and through the partnership of those involved. Families would not need to rely strictly upon the limited investments of governments, or out of their own financial pockets. Finger pointing would then be limited, not commonplace.

Establish the insurance coverage privately, not as a part of the OHIP Plan. Private insurance will be forced to be competitive, while public coverage could balloon financially over time. Government assistance to those unable to afford payments could be offered. Opening this form of insurance up to international insurance providers may be a life changer.