Politics
Friday February 3, 2006
Home Schoolers Concerned Over New Ontario Compulsory Attendance Law
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By Terry Vanderheyden
MILLGROVE, Ontario, February 3, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A homeschooling group is concerned by an Ontario Liberal government proposal to change the Education Act, raising the compulsory school attendance age in Ontario to 18.
The Homeschool Legal Defence Association of Canada (HSLDA), in a release from Executive Director and Legal Counsel Paul Faris Monday, warns that the change to the law may restrict the freedoms of homeschoolers in several ways. The new law proposes requiring proof of school attendance before obtaining a drivers license, and imposing fines against parents and children who are not in school and legitimately excused.
Faris points out a first caution, that “Bill 52 extends by two years the time allowed to parents to justify themselves to the government, or fear having to justify themselves to the government, for homeschooling their children.” He explains that this is especially problematic when homeschooled children have completed their high school education early. Also, if a homeschooled child wants to incorporate an apprenticeship or other hands-on learning opportunity into their final years of high school, this would be forbidden.
Faris also warns that homeschooled children may have trouble obtaining a drivers licence or applying for a job. “Bill 52 seems to set up a system whereby students will have to prove they are in compliance with the attendance laws before they can get a drivers license,” he states.
Read the complete draft of Bill 52:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/documents/Bills/38_Parliament/session2/b052_e.htm
Click the link below for a complete copy of the current Education Act:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/90e02_e.htm
“It is not clear yet exactly how the legislation will be implemented as that will largely depend on the regulations and policies that are developed following its passage,” Faris explains. “Nevertheless, it is very important that our concerns be heard now.”
“HSLDA, along with Ontario Christian Home Educators Connection (OCHEC) and the Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents (OFTP) will be working to ensure that homeschooling freedoms are maintained.” Faris emphasizes, “We need every homeschooler in Ontario to contact their MPP in one of the three ways below to let them know that you have concerns about Bill 52 and that you do not want your homeschooling freedoms taken away OR limited.”
To find your Ontario MPP:
http://olaap.ontla.on.ca/mpp/daIndex.do?locale=en
To "find your electoral district" (see top right corner)
http://www.electionsontario.on.ca/en/home_en.shtml?nocache=true
“We need to ensure that each MPP is visited by homeschool families,” Faris continued. “This is best coordinated by your local support group.”
The HSLDA has put together a folder of information that can be left with the MPP. Call HSLDA at 403-528-2704 or OCHEC at 519-773-3742 to request a copy of the package.
Faris also suggests writing a letter to MPPs. “Suggest anything positive about homeschooling in this letter,” he explains. “In one page of text, express your concerns as well as you can.” As well as including positive aspects of home schooling he suggests a letter to the MPP “should include that you’re concerned about Bill 52 limiting your freedoms by placing an excessive bureaucratic burden on homeschooled students when they try to get a driver's license. That Bill 52 will give administrators, principals and or teachers who do not like homeschooling the chance to restrict your freedom to homeschool.”
Contact HSLDA:
Homeschool Legal Defence Association of Canada
#2-3295 Dunmore Road
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1B 3R2
Phone: 403-528-2704
Fax: 403-528-2870
Email:
Web: http://www.hslda.ca/
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