Our Kids Deserve So Much Better
Manitoba’s government insists on wasting money which should be spent on bettering public education in our province
If only this were satire
Manitoba’s education ministry just announced a campaign to enhance student presence and engagement.
Get this.
They’re calling it…
“School. Keep Going.”
That’s it, that’s their slogan.
What is the government actually doing?
When I went to the government’s education website, it simply took me to the “Safe and Caring Schools” policy document, which was created two years ago.
That document isn’t even about attendance, its alleged purpose is to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint in Manitoba schools, but it’s one that is most definitely not being followed or enforced in our schools.
I see a sidebar with information for parents and educators, which takes me to a bullet-point list of ways in which teachers and parents can support and encourage student attendance.
So, again, I ask: what is our government doing with our tax dollars to actually support our children’s education? Aside from wasting thousands on a silly campaign with colourful signs and promotional materials, what meaningful steps are they taking?
What school leaders can do
There’s a list of 11 suggestions for school leaders to help encourage student attendance. I’ll list a few of them here with my questions and concerns.
Create a safe, welcoming, and culturally responsive school environment.
Great! — how? What resources is the government providing to schools to allow this?
What funding are they providing so school staff can receive culturally competent training?
Seek to understand; work collaboratively with students, families, and staff to identify barriers to school presence and engagement. Utilize restorative practices in your school.
What steps is our government taking to improve the education training programs, so that teachers come better trained to support students with disabilities, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, challenging behaviours, and other learning differences?
What steps is our government taking to improve the education training programs, so that teachers receive training in collaborative and restorative practices?
What funding are they providing so school staff can attend regular training and ensure they are well supported in maintaining collaborative relationships with their students?
Improve student connection to the school through extracurricular activities that meet a broad spectrum of interests. Lead school-based attendance initiatives.
What funding and support is our government providing so schools have the resources to offer more extra-curricular activities and to lead school-based initiatives?
Due to significant budget cuts, many of these programs have been down-sized or cut entirely due to inadequate finances.
What parents can do
There’s also a list of 10 suggestions for parents to help encourage their child’s attendance. I’ll list a couple of them here with my questions and concerns.
Connect with your child’s school early in the school year; establish a collaborative relationship with your child’s teacher(s).
The parents and families I support try very hard to establish a positive relationship with their children’s schools.
Often they email the teacher, but receive no response, or a very short response after waiting a long period of time.
When they try to connect with the support team at their child’s school, they often receive no response, or wait a very long time for any sort of follow-up, if any happens at all.
Avoid scheduling medical appointments and vacation when school is in session.
Do they not realize that most medical clinics are only open during “business hours”, and it’s nearly impossible to get appointments outside of school hours?
Point missed entirely
The focus of this campaign is on the parents, school staff, and students. That’s not where the problem is, although those in positions of power would love for us to continue fighting amongst ourselves so they can avoid any real accountability.
The problem is higher up the proverbial food chain.
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