Frustrated parents plan rally at Queen's Park
Last Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 | 2:28 PM ET
CBC News
Parent and public education activist Annie Kidder says she pulled her children out of school last week. While the strike is disrupting learning and the schools are filthy, she says she doesn't blame the support workers or her school board.
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"I think the public education system loses, because people stop having faith in it because it's too chaotic. And I really feel this is mismanagement. And it's mismanagement at the provincial level," she said.
Kidder is part of a network of other parent groups heading to Queen's Park for the rally. They say they plan to tie green ribbons to trees, and to be there to welcome MPPs in time for Thursday's throne speech.
"At noon, we're asking parents to come with their children to Queen's Park for a press conference to demand action from the province on funding, on extracurricular activities and on grants for school boards."
Parent Andrea Reynolds says she started volunteering at Dundas Public School in Riverdale in September, when her five-year-old son began attending. Now, she's keeping Edward at home.
"Partly because my husband and I don't want to cross the picket line. But also, I think there [are fewer] adults in the school. I think the school is not clean. And I don't think its safe."
Like Kidder, Reynolds sees the strike by support workers as the result of too little funding from the province. And she's angry, because is year alone, Reynolds says she's watched several programs be cut.
"It's extremely tiring as a parent to do work in the schools, because we know next year we'll be fighting the same battles," she said, adding she worries about what her son's education will be like years from now. Meanwhile, both sides in the strike say they are willing to resume contract negotiations.
