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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-02-22, Page 32• PAGE 16A-GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979 Need creative partnership between teachers, gov't., community By Jack Riddell, MPP As you know, we are faced with a critical problem with respect to our educational system in Ontario: namely rising costs combinedwith declining enrolment. Provincial figures predict that total enrolment in the elementary and secon- dary school , system will drop from a 1.978 level of almost two million to 1.7 million by 1990 - a reduction of 11 percent. This trend, combined with rising costs due to inflation, means that Ontario's school system is, and will continue to be, under severe pressure. We must plan for a period when we simply won't need as many schools or teachers. We need a creative partnership between teachers government and local communities to plan for the modification of - our educational system. The notion of working together has become almost a cliche, a common call issued by politicians when faced with difficult problems.`. However, in this case it is absolutely essential. Confrontation is certainly not the answer. The declining enrolment trend has focused attention upon a number of concerns about 'our school system. I•n a recent .speech in Ottawa, the Minister of Education reported on .public reaction to the situation. She said: "The general theme running the attitude of those teaching, and mediocrity in the achievement of those being taught. Apprehension is ex- pressed by opponents of our so-called permissive society' that per- missiveness in schools will further perpetuate a decline in social values. Collectively, the letters disclose the feelings of people who are seriously - concerned about the future." ' We, in the Liberal Party, made the same point almost three years ago. These people*are telling us - "we're turned off'. Our challenge is to turn the school system back on! Let's look at some of the specific issues which must receive attention. (1) A basic issue to be resolved is the level of provincial support. A major recommendation of the _Jackson Report was for the Province to assume an average 60 percent share of the cost through the comments on the quality of education is that the present stan- dards are too low: Parents, teachers, taxpayers and students, all reveal asense of frustration and disap-' pointment in their claim that this perceived deterioration in quality is responsible for apathy in Smile Our friend says his salary is automatically adjusted to inflation. When the company profits go down, he gets laid off. + -1-+ A teenager is a person who gets up on Saturday morning with nothing to, do and by bedtime has it only half done. + + + Middle age is when you feel like the morning after the night before and you havent aeen anywhere. + + -I- Do Do something wrong and you're fired. Do something right and you're taxed. • +.+ Few peopleknow how to hold a meeting. Even fewer• know how to let it go. Meat packers... . from page 14 partner to mandatory price control. DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINTS OUTLINED "At least six political constraints could dominate the Canadian development scene and result in regressive rather than progressive performance," said Dr. Grant Devine of the University .. of Saskat- chewan. Outlining these con- straintts, Devine said in part, YTransportation policy is important in Canada for several reasons not the •least of which are tying the country together and providing export facilities for surplus producing region- s...Rural development is not a farm problem, it is a social and economic problem needing the attention of the public and private sectors, not simply agriculture...The whole Saskatchewan economy is squeezed in the following fashion: Farm costs are high because of (1) a small service sector and (2) due to the, fact that most imputs are imported into the province." GRAIN TO BEEF CONVERSION NEEDS STUDY Out of a far-ranging ,review of the challenges for the food industry In the 1980s, R. J. Addington, President, Kelly, Douglas and Company Limited, drew three conclusions as follows: Food on a global basis will become progressively much more expensive during the next 20-25 years. We in Canada are likely to be the most fortunate in the world in respect to food costs, provided we read the signals well. • Since the efficient use of grain is likely to be a most important feature, the likelihood of its continued long term conversion to beef is something' for the ins dustry to -thoroughly iniv est iga te. CRITICAL AREAS OF FOOD STRATEGY As we approach the 80s the major challenge will be developing the food and agricultural strategy, in selecting and implementing the specific programs ,and policies that fit together to provide an integrated, comprehensive treat- ment, pointed out Dr. George Brinkman of the University of Guelph. Three critical areas were outlined to the meeting: Integrating agricultural and food policy into an overall national development stragegy, rather than giving it special attention by itself in isolation; constructively in- tegrating our national agricultural and food policy into the in- ternational environment; and rationalizing the farm income situation. Brinkman pointed out research is an important element . in increasing productivity. Expanded public research on food production is one of the best investments that taxpayers .can -make. He went on to say, "As the 80s appear likely to be characterized by greater austerity in public spending than the 70s we must be very careful to avoid cuts in this area of expenditure , simply because research benefits may be • less visible than those of some other social program." "In the 80s Canadians will have to assess critically the balance they want between market forces and government allocation and regulation. Many of these choices will involve trading security for freedom of action, and trading control for higher costs and lower ef- ficiency. In many cases, it would appear that Canadians may be placing excessive reliance on government to solve their problems for them,, rather than taking sufficient initiatives to do things for themselves," asserted Brinkman. of school board operations. This would mean that the Ontario Government would spend roughly $120 million more on education each year in order to relieve the burden on municipal taxpayers. There is also, of course, the question of how much money in total should be spent on education, as well as the overriding difficulty of reconciling rising costs and declining enrolment. If the idea is to add $120 million to education spending, our Party would not be in favour of this. The question of tax distribution, however, is worthy of study. A sub- stantial number of tax- payers resent the fact that property tax is such a major source of education revenue. While, in theory, our school system benefits everyone in the com- munity, those taxpayers 'without children in school - and their numbers are growing - do not perceive the benefits received. Since it is inflation which is the major cause of rising costs in the school system, and since income tax is more directly related to ability to pay than is property tax, it may make more sense to increase the portion of education costs to be borne by the income tax. Our Caucus will be giving serious consideration to changes of this kind. (2) A second important issue is class size. We have reservations about the Jackson Report's recommendation that teacher associations make elimination of large class sizes a priority in their negotiations - that teachers insist that a maximum size of class be set. Many people will view this approach, rightly or wrongly, as an attempt by teachers to protect „their jobs regardless of lower enrolment. (3) The third issue is "merit criteria for teachers". One of the more controversial recommendations ad- vanced by the Jackson Report and one which undoubtedly will not find favour with teacher organizations is" the proposal that permanent teaching certificates be replaced by five year renewable . certificates. The successful com- pletion of academic' courses and the demonstration ' of satisfactory performance on the job would be the criteria for renewal. The rub, of course is, who does the evaluation and on what basis? O.S,S.T.F. President, Margaret Wilson, has expressed the. fear that some schools may use such a guideline to fire teachers after the five year period. ' However, merit has to be an important criterion,, and in a period of restraint, when the system is being scaled down, there must be a way to ensure that the most effective and proficient teachers' are retained. Enlightened teachers surely recognize the responsibility they have to students in . this matter. If there is a firm, effective and fair way to introduce the merit principle, ideally it is the teachers who could suggest the best method. Surely we all agree that the educational system exists for the benefit of our young people Improving the quality of the school system, while its scale is being reduced, must be the first priority. DISCOUNT DAVE'S e ONO . IND NOW [1; FULL SWING! Glcp® Saseboard. Heaters ;.. Better Quality MEANS BETTER VALUE but you You can buy thein ther amarketdwith heaters allhe f ne Manu find hr made, It's easier features roses of and we doubalox.t iif t's quality regret buying to install the doubt run, you'll save time and ef- Chromalox. In the long fort and money NESILAr CONC WA DECORAT OISrI OI RE & DUST ALL MODELS ARE 240 VOLTS SAVE 7.40 on the 1500 -WATT MODEL Our usual cash & carry price is 36 99, Like all models. it comes in a handsome beige enamel finish SAVE 4.00 on the 500 -WATT MODEL Our usual cash & carry price for this unit is 19.99 so you save 4 001 Optional thermostat lits •one end _F, lJ 4" x 10" FLOOR REGISTER or ANGLE BOOT Our Usual C. & C. 1.49 5" Diameter! While Stocks Last! 30" GALVANIZED PIPE 19 each Our Usual C. & C. 2.09 169 Per Gallon Our Usual Cash & Carry 12.99 Per Gallon Our Usual Cash And Carry 14.99 Resilacrete Wall Finish comes in 7 colors; the concrete Floor Finish comes in 10 colors, although not all colors are necessarily available at all branches. Resilacrete: makes dust producing concrete floors and walls look bright and beautiful. Helps. reduce dampness too! Gold Web CEILING TILES 56 64 -TILE, CARTON 32" -Tile . Carton PLAIN WHITE CEILING TILES CTN. Our usual cash &carry price is 20.48, so you save 1.92 per carton. Our usual cash & carry price is 8.64, so you save 2.56 per carton. All tiles are 12'x12"x1a" thick. 64 -Tile Carton - Our usual cash & carry price is 17.28 so you save 5.29 when you buy the 64 -tile carton. An outstanding buy in plain white ceiling tiles! 608. While Stocks Last! A Select Group of Rubber Backed PRINTS t, =. by 1:1Zith 7, 4 Level loops In 100% nylon. Ideal for heavy ▪ traffic areas. All Treated to resist soiling. Alt static resistant. While v stocks last, your choice - 11/2" RIGID INSULATION Easy to install and acts no only as a barrier to cold and dampness but also • tones down outside noises i built- in Cushion! eta THERMOSTAT KIT #TS5B Our Usual Cash & Carry 8.99 SINGLE POLE LINE VOLT THERMOSTAT Our Usual CAC. 9.99 ALSO SAVE ON THE 1,000 AND 2,000 -WATT MODELS: 0 EASY TO INSTALL 4 WAYS EASIER No longer do yo.0 have to buy & in"stall connectors. Chrom= alox has built-in Instant Cable Clamps at BOTH ends. And there's a new rear entry system with terminal boxes at BOTH ends so you can wire without removing the front panel. Moun- ting screw slots are better positioned so you can catch the' wooden toeplate and 2x4 studs almost anywhere. And when -you -buy a thermostat it can be installed at EITHER end in the 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 watt models Units can be installed with 12'2 NMD•7 non•metalhc cable ve .t li . nt 1-ve. Our usual cash & carry price for the 1,000 -watt model is 27.99; It's on sale for 23.49; Our usual CAC. price for the 2,000 -watt model is 45.99; It's on sale for 42.99 • • .•r 18" x 24" CORK BULLETIN BOARDS COMPLETE WITH FRAMES You'll want several at this low, low price; for the den, the kitchen and the kids' rooms. But hurry! The supply is limited. 4'x8' SHEETS 3 Pc. Roller Kit Specially priced now to save you • ROLLER over 25%. Our usual cash & carry • ROLLER PAD price is 2.79 per kit. - • TRAY SAVE ON WEISER PASSAGE SET NO. Al 01 B From our fashionable Beverly series Our usual cash A. carry price 7.41 CORRECTION The K-326 Minton Saw advertised , In our flyer published Feb. 14 Is an 8 -tooth saw, NOT a 10 -tooth saw as Indicated. We apologize for any Inconvenience this may have caused our customers Delivery And Credit Terms Available At Extra Cost 630 BATHROOM or BEDROOM 755 Privacy set 0A301 B -926D Beverly series Our usual C 8C 8 88 ENTRANCE SET . Keyed lockset #A501DLB•926D by 1459 459 Weiser Beverly series Our usual cash V & carry price 17 16• STORE HOURS MATTHEWS- MON-THURS. 8 A.M.-6 P M 6 A.M.-9 P M - SATURDAYS 1015:30 P.M. KITCHENER MONDAY thru THURSDAY WINDSOR EAST 8 A M.•5•30 P M WINDSOR WEST FRIDAY till 9 P M SATURDAY till 5.30 P M KINCARDINE open Mon thru Sal 8 00 a m to 530 P M Amherstburg, Goderich, Kingsville Owen Sound, West Lorne. Harrow, Ridgetown, Southampton, MON •FRI 8 e.m •5.30 p.m.; SATURDAY till 4 p.m Exeter. Thedford and Grand Bend open Mon .• Fri 8 a m• 5 30 p m, Saturday till 1 p 16 BRANCHES: AMHERSTBURG EXETER GODERICH GRAND BENCY HARROW KINCARDINE K(NGSVILLE KITCHENER 736-2151 235.1422 524-8321 238-2374 738.2221 396-3403 7332341 7446371 OWEN SOUND RIDOETOWN SOUTHAMPTON THEDFORO WEST LORNE WINDSOR EAST WINDSOR WEST MATTHEWS Kitchener Out•of•lown call Tree 1.800.265-8990 378.3181 874.5465 797.3245 296.4991 768-1520 727-6001 734.1221 254.1143 OUR USUAL CASH AND CARRY 3.53 CORK STRIPS IN 24" OR 36" LENGTHS PKG. COVERING 8 SO. FT. You get four 2 -ft strips each measuring 12" wide by %2" thick. Our usual cash & carry price, 2.49/package. PKG. COVERING 12 SQ. FT. You get tour 3 -ft. strips each 12" wide by Y2" thick. Our usual cash & carry. 3.79 pkg All Prices Shown are Cash & Carry 169 269 Delivery And Credit Terms Available At Extra Cost 1 1' :no _ u _KITCHENER 1 589 Fairway Road South near the IAall, Phone 744.6371 HOME CENTRES A DIVISION or er • 1. ILIBEP CO 0.50 SALE ENDS SATURDAY, MARCH -3,1919 A1, OWN SOVNltlt \* . !„/< Oh Highway 21 a1 Springmount Dune/. Phone 3763181 LOTS OF FREE PARKING 1 / Ha, 11 14 1�--- KINCARDINE Hwy. 2 North opposite the Sutton Park inn. Phone 3963403