Re: Minister’s Review of Special Needs report recommendation to eliminate the Tuition Support Program

Dear Ms. Casey:

I was very disappointed in the Minister’s Review of Special Education report that the committee submitted to you at the beginning of September. I was especially disappointed at the committee’s recommendation that the Tuition Support Program be shut down after so many parents took the time to be involved and tell their story. The idea of cutting off funding to effectively send children with serious learning disabilities back to the public school’s that failed them in the first place is disturbing. Mr. Farmer’s suggestion that if we force these children back to their schools the Department and boards will “really have to fix things now” is ridiculous. Children should not have to pay the price for inadequate service offerings and techniques with their future and self esteem to motivate positive change in the public school system.

I have heard allot of rhetoric about protecting “Inclusion” as if it is in jeopardy or under threat. This is a smokescreen issue intended to garner public support and to confuse the issue. You will not find me or anyone else who would what to get rid of inclusion. Inclusion works great! Children have the right to attend their local school and sit in a regular classroom. But what if that regular classroom is not the best place for some kids? What the committee is suggesting is the concept of “TOTAL & FULL INCLUSION” which means ALL children who are publicly funded must attend a public school regular classroom. The concept of a “one size fits all” solution offered only by public schools is misguided.

The Supreme Court of Canada demands that “Inclusion” be interpreted from the child’s point of view. The child should be put in the least restrictive environment. Put another way, if there is a place (in the province) that can offer specialized educational services in a better environment, you, as Minister of Education, must follow the spirit of education act and do what is in the best interest of a child from their point of view. Because of this duty, you have an obligation to allow them access to the best services available until undue hardship can be proved. Accepting the recommendation to shut down a vital lifeboat like the Tuition Support Program is ignoring fact that there is a better way out there that is working in right now for our kids. It doesn’t cost you any more money, so it is not undue hardship for the government. As Minister of Education you have the duty do what is right and just for the children of this province. To offer them the very best education available regardless of whether it is public or private. Your responsibility is not to protect unions, jobs or the Deputy Ministers outdated idea of “Inclusion”. Your responsibility is to make sure schools are safe and happy places to learn. Your responsibility is to make sure curriculums are followed and outcomes are achieved. In all schools whether private or public.

The dream of a perfect system where all services are offered in a local public school is a noble aim. It is just not a reality today or for the foreseeable future. Mr. Cochrane said in a meeting I attended that he will never permit special needs kids to be excluded, to be “sent to the room in the basement of schools”. This recommendation will do just that. “Basements of schools” for many children can also be sunny filled regular classrooms in their local public school.

I ask you to reject the recommendation of the report and continue to support the Tuition Support Program. I ask you eliminate a fixed limit on support in favour of one designed to support a child until they are able to return to public school.


Sincerely,

Brian Hickling