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New Opportunities in Secondary Schools By Hon. John P. Roharts The new program for Ontario Secondary Schools was discussed at most of the Women's Institute conventions this fall and will be studied further at the Women's Institute Farm Radio Forum meeting: on February 5th, 1962. Several women have asked if we could provide an outline of the Government's new plan, so we are happy to publish this statement from the Honourable John P. Robortt‘, Minister of Education and Premier of Ontario. â€" Editor. HE OBJECTIVE of the Ontario second- I ary schools has always been to give every pupil the maximum education con- sistent with his capabilities and his willingness to achieveâ€"an education for better living and a preparation to earn a livelihood. Until re- cently our society was able to absorb into reâ€" munerative employment almost every pupil leaving school with or without a graduation diploma, But, now, technological changes have made it impossible for a pupil leaving Grades 9. 10 or 11 without a diploma and without a specific skill, to obtain employment with any degree of security for the future. Traditionally, the secondary schools have offered one programme of studies in each of the General. Commercial and Technical Courses leading to the Secondary School Grade uation Diploma at the end of Grade 12, In the large schools some further classification or streaming has always been possible on the basis of options selected by the pupils. Some school systems are attempting to operate on a double standard at the end of Grade lZâ€"one for diploma purposes and another for admission to Grade 13. For some time, the Department has been fully aware that under the existing programme only 40% of pupils regularly pro- moted to Grade 9 graduate with a diploma from Grade 12, The present courses of study providing for entrance to universities, institutes of technology, teachers’ colleges, and nursing schools appear to be too difficult or unsuitable for many pupils who intend to leave school before completing Grade 12 in order to obtain positions in business and industry. Yet, in any revision of curriculum, our present standards for capable students must be maintained and sutficient challenge to develop the potential of all students must be ensured. It is the opinion of those concerned with secondary education that our present General Course, and the Commercial and Technical Courses also, cannot fulfil two functions â€"â€" namely. the preparation for higher education and the training and education of pupils more directly for employment. To meet the need of 18 this large second group of pupils who drop out before reaching Grade 12, acct-smut changes will be made in school organmuoh and subject content. Teachers, as well ::_ rep. resentatives from all other groups wormed with education, will be consulted. All .7; the factors which have placed Ontario‘s SChUv ,ys. tem in the front rank over the years ‘ 1 be preserved and augmented by new Opportr “lies for the advancement of ambitious Student In developing a revised comprehensiv than for the Province, it must be kept in 'nnd that we now have large high School d mu where technical and commercial educatt has been offered for a number of years. Vt' 115g have a large number of smaller districts were the schools can now begin to provide em opportunities. Nevertheless, for a numl‘ of years, some small secondary schools v be able to offer only the traditional ac» .llC course with a limited number of options uch lead to higher education. The proposed c” 505 in school organization, therefore, will ~: "mt secondary schools of all types and size uh growing enrolments to operate with a sui 'nt degree of flexibility within the framers-t til the plan. The General, Commercial, and Teri Cltl Courses as divisions of the secondary s is are being renamed as Branches: (1) Art .ul Science (2) Business and Commerce (3) ‘ 2'- neering, Technology and Trades. A sh m emphasis will be suggested commencir 1 September, 1962, whereby the more ca. 116 pupils from all three Branches of a SECC‘L school, after a Fiveâ€"Year Programme e- at in a common Grade 13, will be encouragx H proceed to higher education. At the same a. the pupils who plan to leave school b R” Grade 13, or who are unable to cope ‘Ili Grade 13 subjects, will have better pro; tion for their life’s work. by following a W Fonr-Year Programme which will be d l- oped for each of the Branches named at This Four-Year Programme will not be stricted by university entrance requirent is and as a result will contain a wider chain. it practical options in addition to the con i compulsory academic subjects. To supplement these two Programmes 3 I ' if (or Two)-Year Programme in occupatio ll subjects will be provided, This limited l='-‘j gramme will be tailored to meet the needs of pupils admitted to secondary schools who h 1 not been regularly promoted from the V? mentary grades but who must, neverthelc-n- find a means of earning a living in schCL“ trades or occupations. HOME AND COUNTRY