"...what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done" - Psalm 78:3-4
Remember to check out the "Education" menu of the website for lesson plans made by ARPA Canada.
In a surprising turn of events, ARPA Canada has learned and confirmed that the BC government has announced that independent schools may now maintain half-day kindergarten with funding. According to a notice from the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools "While government remains committed to the implementation of full-day Kindergarten for all five year-olds by September 2011, government also recognizes that independent schools support parental choice. After reviewing requests for continued funding for half-day Kindergarten in independent schools, government has agreed to fund half-day Kindergarten programs in independent schools."
The provincial governments of Ontario and British Columbia have begun to convert their half-day kindergarten programs to all-day. The stated intention in both provinces is to extend all-day kindergarten further into the preschool years as funding allows. This means that children as young as two may be spending five full days a week in a learning institution in the near future. There is not much opposition to this expansion of the education system from mainstream Canadians. They have been won over by two things:
By Andrea Mrozek, Today's Family News, May 17, 2010: In late April the British Columbia School Trustees Association, a group that oversees public school boards in the province, agreed to recommend to the Ministry of Education that public funding for independent schools be dropped and diverted back into the public system, putting school choice at odds with tight budgets.
For immediate release: New study highlights how public school enrolment is declining, while independent school enrolment is rising; funding fails to reflect parental choices
May 6, 2010 (Ottawa) – A new study released today by the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada reveals that in spite of demographic decline, enrolment in Ontario’s independent schools is on the rise as public school enrolment declines. Public school funding, however, continues to rise in a manner that is completely unresponsive to student numbers. “Parental choices in education are not reflected in our current school funding system,” says study author Derek Miedema. “Even in face of demographic decline, independent school enrolment continues to increase. Parents shoulder the burden of this cost across Ontario today.”
ARPA Note: This press release was produced by Take Back Our Schools. Learn more about the ongoing effort to bring positive change to BC's schools by clicking here.
LANGLEY, April 30, 2010 (TBOS) — A meeting of concerned Langley constituents with Langley MLA Mary Polak (who is also Minister of Children and Family Development, and Minister Responsible for Child Care) today produced some hopeful results—but also some concerns.
Opinion piece by Neil Dykstra (writing for www.NoApologies.ca): There has been much outrage from social conservatives over the past few weeks over Ontario’s proposed changes to the delivery of sexual education in schools. Enough, it seems, to force premier Dalton McGuinty to back down and reconsider. McGuinty’s about-face was cause for rejoicing among those of us who cherish family values. Unfortunately, too few of us recognize the real and present danger that underlies this expansion of sex-ed.
Attached below is ARPA Canada's submission to the Ontario government in response to the legislation that aims to expand institutionalized early-learning in Ontario. Bill 242 proposes to fund full-day kindergarten and junior kindergarten (for 4 and 5-year olds) at a projected cost of 1.8 billion dollars annually. In this submission, ARPA Canada encourages the Ontario government ot abandon this legislation because it will provide minimal help for children while further eroding the parent-child relationship that is critical for effective education, all at a staggering cost to Ontario taxpayers.
By Neil Dykstra (Langley ARPA), for www.NoApologies.ca: All-day kindergarten is becoming reality in Canada. Ontario is beginning implementation in the 2010-2011 school year and plans to complete the conversion by September 2015. BC has a more aggressive timeline, converting half its kindergarten spaces to all-day for 2010-2011 and the rest in the next year. Some Canadian jurisdictions are studying the European systems that begin schooling as young as 3 years old for future programs. [Keep reading this article here.]
ARPA Note: This move in Ontario schools follows the precedent set in BC over the past few years. Learn more about this and find resources for action at www.TakeBackOurSchools.org (ARPA Canada is one of the organizations behind this site).
Add a comment
By Ruth Bredenhof, BV ARPA [Read a more detailed article by BV ARPA on the same topic here. Find a sample letter below]
The BC Government has decided to expand Early Learning to include full-day kindergarten for half of BC Schools in 2010, and for all five-year-olds by 2011. Other provinces, such as Ontario, have plans to extend their Early Learning programs as well. Currently, ½ day kindergarten for five year olds is the norm in BC. Although kindergarten will remain optional, government funding will only be provided for schools that offer full-time kindergarten (beginning in 2011). The BC Government also indicated that they hope to expand school to four and three year olds within the next few years.
By Andrea Mrozek, Globe and Mail, November 25 2009: When Ontario's Finance Minister announced last month that the provincial deficit would be substantially higher than predicted, it was followed up by talk of restraint. “We will change how we do business in this province,” he said. “We are becoming an even leaner and even more efficient provider of quality public services.” Really? The government is on track to expand the public sector and push the province further into the red. The reason is full-day kindergarten, set to start next year. [Continue reading this article here.] Add a comment
In a surprising turn of events, ARPA Canada has learned and confirmed that the BC government has announced that independent schools may now maintain half-day kindergarten with funding. According to a notice from the 
The provincial governments of 
For immediate release: New study highlights how public school enrolment is declining, while independent school enrolment is rising; funding fails to reflect parental choices
Opinion piece by Neil Dykstra (writing for 