Not known which schools will get kindergarten program: Premier
June 15, 2009
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Rob Ferguson
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU
It's too early to say which schools will get the new full-day learning program and when as a new early-learning program slowly ramps up, Premier Dalton McGuinty said today.
"Is my school in or is my school out? Don't know yet," McGuinty told reporters, noting he will take the summer to consult with report author Charles Pascal on where best to start.
Schools in economically depressed areas will most likely take priority in a bid to ease costs for poor parents as part of the government's anti-povery efforts, and in schools that already have space for more kids to partake in full-day learning.
"That saves us money," McGuinty said after touring Holy Angels Catholic elementary school in south Etobicoke.
Despite tough economic times and an expected $18.5 billion deficit this year, the premier said that the government has set aside $200 million for the 2010 school year and $300 million the following year to start full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds.
"I don't know how quickly we can get it done for every child in Ontario," he added, calling Pascal's recommendations "far-reaching" and "ambitious."
"We can't do it all at once. We've got to walk before we run."
Asked how much it would cost to have full-day learning for all Ontario kids not already in full-day school programs, McGuinty said he didn't know.
He wouldn't get into details on how the government plans to bridge the touchy issue of the salary gap between higher-paid teachers and lesser-paid early childhood education teachers from day cares when they combine efforts in the classroom.
He called for "goodwill" from all sides and said, "We're going to have to find a way to work together on this."
More:
Read the full story on our special early-learning page
Full-day learning starts next year
The people behind the report
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