Why is Ontario killing its community colleges?
Community Colleges were introduced in Ontario during the 1960's. They were designed to fill a gap in the education system. Students who were not seeking university theoretical learning, could select a community college program and receive hands on technical training. Outstanding achievements have come from these technical schools including such wonders as the Canadarm http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/ And now, the Ontario government is quietly killing the schools. Their death is not visible because of the intense construction of beautiful facilities that has taken place over the past ten years. From the outside it appears that all is well; what is occurring inside the walls is not so pretty. This is what appears to be happening:
Colleges are quietly eliminating their hands-on technical programs. Instructors are being actively encouraged to discontinue lab portions of their programs which are now viewed as too costly to continue. The kind of instructor being hired has also changed. Previously colleges would hire technical experts in various fields. Instructors are now expected to have theoretical Masters and PhDs. This means that skilled people who actually work in the field can no longer apply for teaching positions. Instructors are being pressured into conducting lectures because these can be packed with students. Labs require small class sizes. Colleges, in fact, are actively eliminating full-time educators in favour of part-time contract instructors. Quality of instruction is beginning to disappear. Advanced flagship programs are being shut down including such highly touted ones as the Canadian Plastics Training Centre and even in demand technology fields.
Colleges are replacing administrators who have an education background with pure business administrators who are expected to run their faculties as for-profit ventures. This means that they are turning to filling their seats with foreign students. These students pay exorbitant fees. Quality of candidates and prerequisite knowledge are not key concerns for deciding admission. Ability to pay the fees, is. It seems that before Canadian students even apply for placement, foreign students are already receiving their acceptances.
Many community colleges are being redesignated as universities. Universities receive more per student funding and only have to provide theoretical learning.
If this is the case, the demise of the community college system is a black eye on the McGuinty government. These are the allegations. Speak up, Mr McGuinty, what is happening to our community colleges?
Community Colleges were introduced in Ontario during the 1960's. They were designed to fill a gap in the education system. Students who were not seeking university theoretical learning, could select a community college program and receive hands on technical training. Outstanding achievements have come from these technical schools including such wonders as the Canadarm http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/canadarm/ And now, the Ontario government is quietly killing the schools. Their death is not visible because of the intense construction of beautiful facilities that has taken place over the past ten years. From the outside it appears that all is well; what is occurring inside the walls is not so pretty. This is what appears to be happening:
Colleges are quietly eliminating their hands-on technical programs. Instructors are being actively encouraged to discontinue lab portions of their programs which are now viewed as too costly to continue. The kind of instructor being hired has also changed. Previously colleges would hire technical experts in various fields. Instructors are now expected to have theoretical Masters and PhDs. This means that skilled people who actually work in the field can no longer apply for teaching positions. Instructors are being pressured into conducting lectures because these can be packed with students. Labs require small class sizes. Colleges, in fact, are actively eliminating full-time educators in favour of part-time contract instructors. Quality of instruction is beginning to disappear. Advanced flagship programs are being shut down including such highly touted ones as the Canadian Plastics Training Centre and even in demand technology fields.
Colleges are replacing administrators who have an education background with pure business administrators who are expected to run their faculties as for-profit ventures. This means that they are turning to filling their seats with foreign students. These students pay exorbitant fees. Quality of candidates and prerequisite knowledge are not key concerns for deciding admission. Ability to pay the fees, is. It seems that before Canadian students even apply for placement, foreign students are already receiving their acceptances.
Many community colleges are being redesignated as universities. Universities receive more per student funding and only have to provide theoretical learning.
If this is the case, the demise of the community college system is a black eye on the McGuinty government. These are the allegations. Speak up, Mr McGuinty, what is happening to our community colleges?
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