Today's letters: Teachers are paid to rule schools, not children and their parents

Tuesday, April 23: Let teachers run their classrooms as they see fit, says one reader writes. You can write to us too, at [email protected]

Published Apr 23, 2024 • Last updated 39 minutes ago • 2 minute read

Richard Smith, a former teacher in the Ottawa Carleton School Board for 23 years, is one of dozens of teachers being investigated by the board, which forced him out of the profession in 2022, he says. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA

Teachers know best

Re: Anonymous complaints ended French teacher’s 23-year career, Apr. 14

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This story is just one more example of how messed up and dysfunctional our Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and indeed the whole Ontario school system, is.

I talk to current and retired teachers every day. The things I hear make me sick. Since when did the children and their parents get to rule the schools? That is what the teachers and professionals are paid to do.

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If our children are to grow up with any sense of respect and responsibility, we need to put aside all these so-called progressive teaching ideas and bring back a singular focus on teaching what is needed for our children to grow up to be disciplined, motivated and productive members of our society.

Let’s bring back the good old days of “my classroom, my rules.” The child’s one and only responsibility it to meet the teacher’s expectations to the best of his, her, or their ability.

Jay Hunt, Ottawa

Lottery could fund 24 Sussex Drive repairs

Re: Could two former prime ministers help rescue 24 Sussex Drive?, Apr. 5

I was pleasantly surprised to read that two former prime ministers are willing to help to raise cash for renovating 24 Sussex Drive. After all, it is our White House and and there is so much history there.

If they don’t mind my suggestion, they should go by way of a lottery to raise funds. Most of us like lotteries and buy tickets. I am sure many businesses would participate by donating items such as cars and groceries for a certain time. I feel that from coast to coast, Canadians will participate in preserving Canadian history.

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Anant Nagpur, Ottawa

A transparent proposal

Re: Could two former prime ministers help rescue 24 Sussex Drive?, Apr. 5

The greatest Canadian architecture is an igloo. Let me propose that the building with marginal architectural significance at 24 Sussex Drive be replaced by a thermal glass-covered dome in the shape of an igloo.

Since the glass is transparent, it is symbolically consistent with Open Government Canada: “Government of Canada is creating greater transparency and accountability.”

Simon Sunatori, Gatineau

With Ukraine, Putin is just starting

While there are many serious threats one problems facing Canada today, our so-called leaders seem to have forgotten about the most critical one.

If we don’t stop Putin in Ukraine, it will be Canadian soldiers dying in Latvia next. Why is it that people cannot understand that Putin’s war is with all Western democracies, and it’s just the current battle that is in Ukraine? We should be using every diplomatic and economic tool we can find to hurt Russia and help Ukraine. This includes shipping Ukraine every weapon and round of ammunition that we have. We aren’t using them.

Keith Dawson, Ottawa

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