Yesterday, on 12 February 2020, the elementary teachers of Ontario walked out of their classroom for the fifth time this academic school year to protest the changes proposed to public education by the current conservative government. Elementary teachers are protesting the proposed cuts to special education, the increase in class sizes, and the wish to change the current kindergarten model. In addition, teachers want the government to address the issue of the violence in the classroom which is on the increase.
Yesterday, I joined the picket line at the Royal York Hotel where the Minister of Education was to speak to the Canadian Club. When I reached the venue, I was stunned at the number of people already at the site. Teachers had already begun picketing outside the hotel, and the vibe in the area was electrifying. Once all my colleagues had arrived, we joined the demonstration happening in front of the hotel.
As we marched, we chanted and made some noise with our tambourines, shakers and cow bells. There were a number of leaders at different points of the line that lead us in the chants that kept us going. The feeling of solidarity I felt energised me and gave me the zeal to continue for the next three hours.
I was happy to see that we were being noticed. The TV cameras were there: the protest was live streamed and seen in the media – unlike so many other protests that had been ignored. Our local communities had seen us, but not the larger. Yesterday, we were noticed. Yesterday, we made our voices heard.
The police presence was strong – though we did not create any problems. After all, teachers are a group of people who are used to following both the rules and the dictum “safety first”! Ours was a peaceful protest despite there being so many people in one space.
Yesterday was the most electrifying experience that I have had on the picket line. That energy has charged me and will help to keep me going on with the fight. Today, I walk into my classroom and work with the children for whom I am protesting.
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2020
Good for you for joining. I like the tambourine.
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It makes some really good noise 😄
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lol, I’m sure.
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I hope you soon get a fair deal.
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Me too!
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It’s also an important message for the kids to learn as they grow up: that you can have a peaceful opportunity to raise your issues and make your case for fairness….part of a democracy that allows your voice to be heard!
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So true John. Unfortunately the democracy is not truly happening when the two parties involved are not negotiating 😞
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That’s a shame…the school district should be required to meet and negotiate…petty not to and really bad for the kids!
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It is not the school district that we are waiting for but the government and the Minister of Education!
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I stand corrected – even worse!
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I agree. And the sad thing is that the public voted them in!
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I know it’s cold there but at least the sun was shining on you that day. I’m hoping for a good result, too 🙂 🙂
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It certainly made picketing easier Jo.
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Well done standing up for your rights! Good luck.
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Thank you. We are all hoping for the best.
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what an experience, really hope they begin listening to you all and acting on what you say
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Me too. There is another walkout planned for next week and all the teacher unions will be participating: the elementary schools, the secondary school, the French schools, and the Catholic schools. That is 200 000 people.
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Wow! You’re all amazing
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I hope due notice was taken by the idiots proposing the changes. They need to wake up and adjust their priorities.
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As you can expect, no. We are walking the picket line this week – and this time it will be all four teacher unions which totals 200 000 members in total.
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