In Ontario, private schools operate through finances that come from private sources. Learners here attend classes during daytime from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. Like their counterpart government schools, private schools in Ontario are covered by the Ministry of Education provincial authority. Being regulated by the provincial ministry, private schools are expected to keep up with, and if possible, go beyond the regular standards of educational system in the province. Compliance with the requirements for operation as well as regular submission of performance report to the ministry every year on or before the first day of September must be followed.
Standard inspection
Private schools in Ontario are open for inspection by education officers in the province. During such inspection, these schools must be able to pass the standard of education prescribed by the education ministry. Aside from the regular inspection, certain private schools that wish to add more areas of learning in their curriculum have to seek approval from authorities before implementation. Transparency is necessary in order to obtain permit when adding curriculum subjects that are not included in the originally licensed school program. Hence private schools in Ontario have to make their records and school facilities open for inspectors to see before they are approved. Non-compliance with these procedures will render a school to be ineligible for the upgrade and the new subjects will not be credited when securing a diploma in secondary school.
Instructional requirements for private schools in Ontario
Schools in Ontario have unified educational philosophy and instruction. They share the same views, objectives and mission in providing quality education to the students. Ontario has an estimated 700 schools scattered in all its districts. The teachers are not mandated to be members of academic associations but majority of them are part of the Ontario College of Teachers, which serves as base for fellowship purposes. Hiring of teachers is centered primarily on the teachers’ credentials and educational qualifications, which must be credited by the universities where they completed their education. Training and experience are also important qualities for supplementary qualifications although the measuring and evaluation standards vary on case to case basis.
Higher population, more schools needed
Ontario is the most thickly populated area in Canada. Of the approximate 700 schools all over the province, 63 of them are operated by private entities. Due to its school population, Ontario has the highest hiring rate of teachers in Canada. More schools might also be opened in the event of future population increase. Proportionate to the foreseen increase of students is the probable increase of demand for teachers as well. Teachers in private schools in Ontario are presently conducting talks with school boards for possible increase in salaries and to update their benefits in terms of retirement plans, tax reduction, housing facilities and so on. Improvements in the employment of teachers may not immediately take place, however optimism runs high on the possibility that the teachers’ employment concerns may be granted soon. To facilitate more orderly and peaceful negotiations, local bargaining is being conducted between the mentors and school officials on a regular basis.
Further training for teachers
Upgrade of teachers’ salaries and benefits may not come on a silver platter inasmuch as the teachers must also provide equal input to make them really qualified for higher pay. Further training and continuing education are necessary if a teacher in a private school wishes to qualify in the evaluation. In other words, the right to avail of more rights by the teachers must be compensated by the right of educational systems to demand more expertise from the teachers under their employ.
Ontario takes the matter of educating its constituents seriously. It provides free education in public schools from elementary to high school. Private schools collect tuition fees but they function under the regulation of the ministry of education and their operation must be in accordance with the same standard set for public schools.
Source : private school in Ontario - http://www.diacademy.ca/