The Auditor General’s report on special education exposes a shameful reality: government underfunding is creating a crisis in Ontario’s public schools.
The number of students with special education needs grew by 7% from 2014/15 to 2023/24 – outpacing overall student enrolment growth by 3%. However, funding is not keeping up with increasing enrolment: 46 out of 72 school boards overspent their special education budgets by a combined $397.9 million in 2023-2024.
The report highlights increased instances of violence, a lack of mental health support for students, and staffing shortages resulting in students being left without appropriate support to succeed.
“Students with special education needs in Ontario are being shortchanged,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. “This report confirms what education workers, families, and students have been saying for years: the Ford government is failing to meet its obligations to children with special education needs. Schools have a legal duty to provide students with special education needs extra supports and accommodations.”
“Education workers provide programming and support to ensure success and safer learning environments for our most vulnerable learners,” said Kelly Martin, President of OPSEU Local 330 and Chair of the Central Bargaining Team for OPSEU/SEFPO boards of education workers.
“Rising enrolment and the complexity of needs has increased the demand for classroom supports like Educational Assistants (EAs), yet staffing gaps persist,” added Martin. “Short staffing due to underfunding has resulted in higher stress, burnout, and physical injuries for EAs, compounding the existing problem.”
To address this crisis, OPSEU/SEFPO is calling on the Ministry of Education and school boards to provide funding to prioritize EA and support staff recruitment and retention strategies, including enhanced training, injury prevention, improved wages and workload management.