How many students are too many? Ontario teachers draw the line

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), representing 84,000 educators, has spoken with a unified voice. As bargaining for the next central agreement approaches in 2026, the federation released the results of a province-wide survey on August 11^th, 2025. The findings were clear: class size is the top concern across Ontario classrooms.

“For years, educators have called for smaller class sizes that better support student learning,” said ETFO President Karen Brown. “In 2026, ETFO is bringing this fight back to the bargaining table with renewed urgency and collective strength.”

Brown has seen the problem firsthand. Large classes stretch teachers too thin, leaving little room for personalized support. She explained, “Overcrowded classrooms limit what’s possible. They reduce opportunities for individualized attention and make it harder to create calm, safe, inclusive spaces that our students deserve.”

Current funding guidelines allow primary grades (1 to 3) to average 20 students per class. Junior grades (4 to 8) are funded for an average of 24.5. But without firm caps for junior grades, many classes exceed 30 students.

ETFO is demanding legislative change. The federation wants the Ministry of Education to amend the Education Act, capping class sizes at 24 students for grades 4 to 8, and at 26 for kindergarten.

“Smaller classes are not a luxury,” Brown emphasized. “They are essential to a strong public education system and critical to meeting the daily challenges we face.” She argued that reducing class sizes will improve student learning, cut down on school violence, and help teachers build stronger relationships with students. Smaller classes also lower teacher burnout, which supports retention in a profession already under pressure.

To drive home its message, ETFO has launched a bold new campaign: Smaller Classes, BIG DIFFERENCE. This province-wide initiative will showcase stories and data that underline why class size must be a bargaining priority in 2026.

According to ETFO, smaller classes directly affect equity. Students who need extra help, including those with disabilities, benefit most when educators have manageable class sizes.

The federation’s recently published position paper, Promises Unfulfilled: Addressing the Special Education Crisis in Ontario, calls for smaller classes and adequate staffing as essential components of inclusion. “Every child, including those with disabilities, deserves to have their learning needs met,” the paper argues.

The Ford government’s education policy since 2018 has leaned toward larger classes, a direction that many teachers say harms both students and staff. ETFO is betting that public opinion, combined with the collective voice of educators, will make smaller class sizes a non-negotiable issue in the next round of bargaining.

The survey results give the federation a strong mandate. Members have identified class size as the issue that unites them across regions and roles. With this solidarity, ETFO is positioning itself to push for systemic change in 2026.

Brown summed it up bluntly: “If we want students to succeed, we must give them classrooms where success is possible. That means smaller classes, more support, and the resources to help every child thrive.”