Windsor Students Say No

By Julianna Bonnett

More than 2,100 students at Vincent Massey High School marched last week in support of #StudentsSayNo, joining thousands of others who are protesting planned changes to classroom classroom sizes and rules.

The province-wide movement followed last month’s announcement by Education Minister Lisa Thompson, who wants to  increase classroom sizes, introduce mandatory online courses and ban the use of cell phones during instructional time.

“I really think it has an impact on all the future students,” said Georgia Bert, event organizer and a Massey student. “When you look at having to do mandatory e-learning, that doesn’t necessarily fit everyone’s needs.”

Bert said the increase of class sizes is something that is going to affect students more than the Ford government thinks it will.

“Students all learn differently from each other, if we have a classroom that has too many students certain kids won’t be able to get the learning that they need,” she said.

Organizers around the province are trying to push back several policies including changes to autism programs in schools.

“We want everyone listening,” said Shilpi Brahmbhatt, another Massey student. “We want everyone watching to know we are the students and we care about our education, we care about our health care and our funding.”  

The hour long rally took place from 1:15 p.m. to about 2:20 p.m. and an estimated 110,000 kids in the Windsor area walked out. For more information on the recent education changes, check out http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/new/new.html