Sept. 24: Ford should put students first and other letters

Ford should put students first

Re: Teachers’ union should rethink push for smaller class sizes in Ontario schools , Sept. 17

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) makes no apology for putting students first by demanding smaller class sizes. The research is clear: while younger children show the strongest academic gains, all students benefit when classes are smaller. Educators can give more individual attention, build stronger relationships, and respond to diverse needs — especially critical in grades 4 to 8, where students face mounting academic and social pressures. Our position is not just principled; it’s backed by decades of rigorous research.

Claims that class-size caps are “too expensive” ignore the real cost of overcrowded classrooms: lost learning opportunities