TDSB class caps spark uproar

The issue of class size in Ontario’s public elementary and secondary schools has long been contentious. In March 2025, trustees at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) voted to cap class sizes at 32 students for Grades 4 to 8. The decision aligned with a Ministry of Education directive that school boards should average no more than 24.5 students per class across those grades, though the Ministry does not impose a strict hard cap on any single classroom.

It came as a surprise to many education stakeholders when Supervisor Rup­t­a Gupta rescinded the trustees’ directive. The reversal triggered strong reactions from parents and union representatives. Details of that backlash were first reported by Gabe Oatley in TorontoToday on January 12^th, 2025.

Mark Unger, a member of the TDSB’s Parent Involvement Advisory Committee, emphasized the importance of smaller class sizes in comments to TorontoToday. He stated, “I think small class sizes are pretty integral to learning and the work environment, and you’re much less able to provide the attention that students need if you have a larger class size.”

Helena Victoros, President of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT), expressed confusion and concern about the decision. She noted that the trustees’ motion was intended to ensure smaller classes for the 2025–26 school year “At fall reorganization” the period in September when boards shuffle students and teachers to equalize class sizes. Victoros posed two questions: “Why would he do this?” and “What’s the purpose of rescinding this motion?”

Chris Chandler, Executive Officer with District 12 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), responded in a Facebook post on January 15^th. He wrote, “If anyone still believes that the Minister of Education or his appointed school supervisors are trying to serve the community needs better than locally elected trustees can, this should help clarify what’s actually going on.”

Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow (Toronto–St. Paul’s) also weighed in on social media, writing: “Smaller class sizes contribute to better learning. I’m calling on Queen’s Park to reverse this decision and support our kids’ education.”

In a follow-up article published June 21^st titled “Amid backlash, TDSB supervisor justifies scrapping elementary size cap,” Oatley reported on Supervisor Gupta’s response to parental concerns. One parent, Sara Blumenthal, shared an email she received from Gupta. In it, he wrote: “The TDSB was one of the only school boards in Ontario (perhaps the only) to impose a class cap of its own for Grades 4 to 8, leaving the TDSB outside of central agreements and Ministry guidelines.”

Gupta elaborated on his reasoning, “By making this slight adjustment, we will still be within class caps established by the Ministry of Education and followed by other school boards and invest back into classrooms.” He added, “In this particular case, we are looking to provide more targeted classroom support to make meaningful changes in student achievement, specifically in math and literacy. I am confident that we will see the results of this change and others in the months and years ahead.”

Blumenthal said she was dismayed by the email and responded directly to Gupta. She wrote, “I am aware you are planning to include more ‘targeted supports’; however, this does not offset the negative outcomes of having too many students in a classroom. We need to be working to protect our students, not making it easier for learning environments to become more difficult.”

She also took issue with the policy change being described as minor, “I also take issue with you calling this a ‘slight adjustment.’ Large class sizes are already a massive problem in schools across the province and in the TDSB. Students are not getting the individualized attention they need. Classrooms are increasingly loud and chaotic and are not conducive to learning or teaching.”

The question of classroom size remains a central concern for parents, educators, and teachers’ unions, particularly as many perceive a decline in the quality of public education. Those seeking further details can consult TorontoToday’s coverage of the issue.