An intensive literacy program for young students struggling with their reading development will cease to exist at the Toronto Catholic School Board after it was cut by the provincially appointed board supervisor in an effort to save money.
In a memo, Frank Benedetto said that legacy literacy programs, such as Fifth Block, will be phased out effective Sept. 2026 and replaced with “evidence-based” strategies consistent with the Ministry’s Early Reading Intervention model.
Benedetto also announced that any International Languages Elementary (ILE) programming that’s currently offered during the week will transition to Saturday. The program is offered to students who want to learn a language beyond English and French.
As well, bell times are being changed at select elementary schools to create “greater transportation efficiencies” and enhance service levels. It’s unclear which schools are affected.
“In making this decision, I considered options put forward to support the TCDSB in reducing its deficit,” Benedetto wrote.
The supervisor didn’t say how much the moves would save the school board, which is one of eight under the province’s control for alleged financial mismanagement.
The province passed legislation in the fall that makes it easier for the Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, to take over boards that the government believes are in need of reform.
‘Short-sighted’ decision: union
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) called the supervisor’s decision to cut the International Languages Program “devastating” and “short-sighted.”
The union said about 77 dedicated language instructors will lose their jobs.
“For decades, this program has enriched students’ lives, strengthened communities and supported cultural connections,” said Val Di Gregorio, president of CUPE 3155, which represents the instructors.
“Cutting it not only robs students of these opportunities, but it also throws 77 skilled and passionate educators out of work. These instructors are not expendable — they are essential to the fabric of our schools.”
CUPE said the more than 50-year-old program has allowed students to learn a third language, including Ukrainian, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian and Portuguese.
The president of the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) said the supervisor’s decision was “deeply disappointing” and blamed the Ontario government’s years of underfunding of public education.
“These cuts are forcing school boards into impossible choices, and the elimination of this program is completely preventable. Students, families, and workers should not be paying the price for shortsighted and absurd decisions made at Queen’s Park,” OSBCU President Joe Tigani said in a statement.
Both CUPE and OSBCU are urging the TCDSB to reconsider its decision and engage in meaningful dialogue with education workers and other stakeholders to find alternatives.
