As Ontario’s education landscape faces unprecedented challenges, the province’s teachers are gearing up for critical negotiations with their unions. With rising teacher absenteeism and alarming drops in student attendance, the stakes have never been higher. The Ontario government has just 15 days to initiate bargaining before contracts for around 255,000 educators expire at the end of August.
Unions Set to Bargain Amidst Dire Conditions
Yesterday, major education unions encompassing Catholic, French, and public school teachers, as well as support staff, formally notified the provincial government of their intent to negotiate. Education Minister Paul Calandra expressed a hopeful outlook for the talks, but union leaders paint a starkly different picture. David Mastin, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, described the situation as “not just challenging, it is dire,” casting doubt on the potential for a deal before the onset of the new school year.
Key issues on the table include demands for reduced classroom sizes, increased investment in special education, improved recruitment strategies for teachers, and the elimination of mandatory e-learning. Unions are also advocating for more support personnel—such as child and youth workers and social workers—to address the burgeoning mental health issues among students, exacerbated by the pandemic.
The Crisis of Attendance
Concerns over attendance are not limited to teachers. A troubling trend has emerged regarding student presence in classrooms. Ontario’s Ministry of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing more than 10 per cent of school days within a year. Pre-pandemic, about 60 per cent of high school students met this standard; however, recent figures reveal a striking drop of 20 percentage points. In the 2024-2025 academic year, only 45 per cent of Grade 9 students attended regularly, a stark contrast to nearly 70 per cent before the pandemic. The situation is even bleaker for Grade 12 students, with just 33 per cent meeting attendance standards.
In response, the Ford government has proposed linking attendance to academic performance by allocating up to 15 per cent of final grades to class participation. While Calandra insists that there must be “consequences for bad behaviour,” experts argue that attendance issues are rooted in deeper, structural problems. Many chronically absent students face barriers that go beyond mere motivation, necessitating comprehensive solutions that include enhanced funding for mental health services, improved school safety, and better access to transportation and extracurricular activities.
Teacher Well-being Under Strain
The wellbeing of educators is equally at risk, with rising teacher absenteeism mirroring the struggles of their students. A recent survey of 12,000 Ontario education workers revealed that 75 per cent have encountered instances of violence or disruption in schools, with one-third reporting daily occurrences. As stress levels escalate and workloads become unmanageable, many teachers are resorting to sick leave. Mastin noted that this has led to a significant uptick in sick days used, with many educators declaring, “I can’t take this anymore.”
With negotiations on the horizon, concerns are mounting that the government may target sick leave provisions—currently allowing for 11 days at full pay and additional short-term leave. Mastin has asserted that any cuts in this area would be met with fierce resistance from educators.
A Critical Period Ahead
With only three months remaining before the new academic year begins, the urgency for constructive dialogue between the government and educators is palpable.
Why it Matters
The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for Ontario’s education system. If unresolved, the current crisis could impede students’ academic success and wellbeing, while further exacerbating the challenges faced by teachers. As attendance rates plummet and support systems falter, the need for effective solutions has never been clearer. Without robust investment in education and mental health resources, the future of Ontario’s classrooms hangs in the balance.
