Ontario Students Relieved Schools Back to Normal

OTTAWA, Feb. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, to the delight of hundreds of thousands of Ontario secondary students, the Ontario Secondary Schools' Teachers' Federation voted in favour of ending the six month withdrawal of extra-curricular activities.

The Ontario Student Trustees' Association (OSTA-AECO), the group of elected representatives of both Catholic and Public Ontario students, gathered in Ottawa on the weekend of the 21^st of February to discuss this matter along with many other issues in Ontario education.

"We commend the students of Ontario for vocalizing the importance of extra-curricular activities, and for advocating for the return of the holistic classroom experience," said Hirad Zafari, OSTA-AECO President, "With the release of the results of the 2012 Ontario Student, Parent and Educator Survey (OSPES), the launch of the OSTA-AECO Partnership Program, and now the reinstatement of extra-curricular activities, we, as students, are ecstatic."

OSTA-AECO has been diligent in speaking about this matter as a priority since its introduction.

"Our presentation at Queen's Park in August of 2012, followed by our persistent activism and our student petition to return voluntary activities, which received over 10,000 student signatures, showed that students cared. Today, the provincial leaders showed that they listened," said Noah Parker, Communications Officer of the provincial organization. "Even as a Catholic board student, I'm glad my friends and fellow students can join us in these enriching activities outside the classroom."

Our secondary schools are returning to normal. Let us hope that the elementary schools follow suit.

SOURCE: Ontario Student Trustees' Association

Any further questions can be directed to Noah Parker, Communications Officer at [email protected] or 289 230 6624