April 2025 - Minaz Jivraj My Take, Ontario’s Schools Are in Crisis: What CUPE’s Survey Reveals and Why It Matters

Imagine walking into a school where the hallways echo with unmet needs, where kids with complex challenges lack support, custodians scramble to keep up with impossible workloads, and educational assistants (EAs) are stretched so thin they’re burning out or even getting hurt. This isn’t a hypothetical; it’s the reality laid bare in a recent survey by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU). Their report, based on responses from over 12,000 education workers across Ontario, paints a stark picture of a system teetering on the edge. As someone who cares about education, and I’d bet many of you reading this do too. I think it’s time we dig into what’s going on and why it’s a wake-up call for all of us.

The Survey Says: Underfunding and Understaffing Are Breaking Schools

CUPE’s survey, detailed in their February 25, 2025, release (check it out at cupe.on.ca/ontarios-school-boards-5), zeroes in on Durham Region but reflects a province-wide crisis. The numbers are jaw-dropping: 84% of workers say there aren’t enough staff in their roles, think EAs, custodians, and school secretaries, and 85% believe more hands-on deck would improve services for students and staff. In Durham alone, the District School Board faced a $47 million cut to real per-pupil funding this year, while the Catholic District saw $19 million slashed. That’s not just numbers on a page; it’s fewer people to help kids with special needs, dirtier classrooms, and repairs left undone.

Perhaps most alarming, incidents of violence are rising sharply. Over 90% of EAs report facing violent incidents on the job, some daily. Carrie Boisvert, CUPE 218’s president, calls it “devastating,” noting that custodians are so short-staffed that health and safety suffer, while EAs are burning out from overwork. Joe Tigani, OSBCU president, doesn’t mince words: “The education system in Ontario is at a breaking point” due to years of funding cuts under the Ford government. It’s a bold claim, but the data backs it up.

Beyond CUPE: Other Research Echoes the Alarm

This isn’t just CUPE raising concerns in isolation, other research supports their findings. Take “In Harm’s Way: The Epidemic of Violence Against Education Sector Workers in Ontario” (University of Ottawa, 2021). Nearly 4,000 CUPE members reported harassment and physical aggression in the 2018-2019 school year alone, costing the province at least $3.5 million annually in lost time. Professor Chris Bruckert nails it: this isn’t about “bad kids”, it’s about a system too under-resourced to support students’ growing needs. Trauma, burnout, and staff quitting? That’s the fallout.

Then there’s the 2006 International Youth Survey in Toronto, which found 13% of grades 7-9 students admitted to violent acts, with higher rates in underfunded schools (Savoie, 2006). Fast forward to today, and CUPE’s findings suggest little has changed, except the cuts have deepened. A historical lens from IresearchNet’s “School Violence in Canada” shows juvenile violence arrests soaring in recent decades, hinting at a long-brewing storm now hitting schools hard.

My Take: This Is Personal, Not Just Policy

I’ll be honest, this hits close to home. I’ve got friends and associates who are teachers and EAs, and they’ve shared stories of dodging punches from overwhelmed kids or staying late to cover gaps no one else can fill. The CUPE survey isn’t just stats; it’s their reality. Not wanting to point fingers blindly, but when 53% of workers are doing unpaid overtime, equivalent to 5.6 full-time jobs in some areas, it’s clear something’s broken. The current funding model, particularly under the Ford government, has led to a steady erosion of school resources, with kids and workers paying the price.

That said, I wonder if there’s more to the story. Could better training or resource allocation help? Maybe, but without bodies in the building, it’s a moot point. CUPE’s call for immediate funding boosts and staffing increases feels urgent, not optional.

What’s Next? A Call to Action

So, where do we go from here? The CUPE survey isn’t just a complaint, it’s a plea. Schools need more staff, yes, but also a culture shift to prioritize safety and support. The Toronto District School Board’s 2008 “Road to Health” report, post a tragic shooting, pushed for stronger school climates, something still relevant today. Research like Carter and Stewin’s 1999 study on psychopathology in violent students suggests early mental health interventions could cut risks too.

As professionals, parents, or just concerned citizens, we’ve got a role. We need to talk more openly. We need to push policymakers to see schools as investments, not expenses. Because if we don’t act, the crisis CUPE’s shouting about will keep spreading.

Minaz Jivraj MSc., C.P.P., C.F.E., C.F.E.I., C.C.F.I.-C., I.C.P.S., C.C.T.P.

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