Citizens fight for general interest programs for seniors
Citizens for Lifelong Learning are fighting to keep general interest programs for seniors from being cut this June by the provincially run Toronto District School Board.
The local group has been meeting with school trustees and TDSB staff to find a way to save the programs. The group is holding a series of public meetings on the issue to get input, discussion going and put pressure on the government (especially in an election year).
The provincial government should provide full or substantial funding of continuing education so seniors and other adults can continue to learn and develop their minds, skills and talents, said Donna Cansfield who stepped down from being the school trustee for Etobicoke-Centre (Ward 2)
"The (Ernie) Eves government must believe the brain dies at 65," said Cansfield, who is a Liberal MPP candidate for Etobicoke-Centre in the upcoming provincial election.
She said 300,000 adults were enrolled in school-based continuing education five years ago, but only 30,000 can afford the courses today. Fees for the courses were raised by 40 per cent last fall.
The government claims the programs, along with after school programs for kids and seniors day programs are money losers to the tune of $330,000 a figure that some say is false.
Some members of Citizens for Lifelong Learning have met with members of the school board to have them look at, what they state, are errors in accounting. Some figures were projected as a loss, but many things have changed since then, including reducing instructors’ wages, raising course fees and firing teachers who are 65 and over.
"The government is handing private schools $30 million, but won’t pay $330,000 to keep public courses open to adults," said Cansfield.
The last of the scheduled meetings is being held at Toronto City Hall (100 Queen St W) on May 15 from 2-4 p.m. in committee room 4 and from 7-9 p.m. in committee room 3.
To confirm these times or to inquire about future meetings or find out how you can get involved call 416-844-4480 or send an e-mail to CFLL.