LONDON, OTTAWA, TORONTO, SARNIA (March 26, 1992 - present) - Freedom Party is continuing with the second phase of its public awareness campaign on the quality of education in Ontario by launching another door-to-door distribution of thousands of Ontario Information Bulletins. The bulletins warn against the failings and pitfalls of 'whole language' and promote the teaching of phonics as the proven method of teaching reading, writing, and spelling.
The campaign began in London and was timed to coincide with London Board of Education budget hearings which were held on March 28, 1992.
"My experience as a trustee candidate in (London's) Ward 7 during the last municipal election convinced me that many of our education tax dollars may be doing more harm than good," said Fp leader Robert Metz in the party's media release. "I was overwhelmed by the number of parents with whom I came in contact who were deeply concerned that their children were not able to read, write, or spell. At a time when the London Board of Education is demanding more tax increases from the public, it is vital that we examine the value of what we get for our money."
The principal of Sherwood Fox Public School in London publicly questioned Freedom Party's political motivation for "launching an attack on teaching strategies," citing tax savings as the party's primary consideration. Ironically, the principal acknowledged that current teaching trends have been supported by "the Education Ministries of all the major political parties," yet went on to challenge Freedom Party's legitimate interest in the quality of education received for tax dollars.
Given that well over 20% of the provincial budget and over 50% of municipal taxes go to fund the government's educational monopoly, it would be most remiss for any serious political party not to get involved in the issue.
Individual freedom of choice is, and always has been, the primary motivation behind every campaign on which Freedom Party has embarked. The party's record of action and advocacy on this principle is consistent, documented, and dates back to the party's initial foundation in 1984. Freedom Party first publicly campaigned for freedom of choice in education in 1985.
"If parents could choose how their children are taught to read and write," says Fp leader Robert Metz, "there would be no 'whole language' debate. Parents deserve, and should demand, a choice in not only where their education tax dollars are being spent, but in how those dollars are being spent."
Freedom Party's Ontario Information Bulletins on "whole language" have, as of this printing, been distributed in the communities of Ottawa, Toronto, London, Sarnia, and Oxford county. Any readers who may be interested in financially sponsoring the distribution of our pamphlets and information packages (in their own local communities) are invited to contact Freedom Party for details. Remember, your contributions are tax-creditable! We also need volunteers for door-to-door deliveries. Physical copies of the information bulletins can be easily catered to local communities with local contact numbers.
In the confusion that is certain to be generated in the on-going "whole language versus phonics" debate, Freedom Party will continue to monitor the issue and to inform the public via its ongoing door-to-door bulletins, media releases, and specialized publications.
GET THE DETAILS! Read Freedom Party's "Just Say 'Know' to Whole Language."
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last updated on April 28, 2002
