Read on Twitter
Getting rid of OAC saved the government a lot of money but that extra year was so beneficial for students. It allowed them more opportunities to take a variety of courses to figure out what they enjoyed and might want to pursue in life. Students were more mature and prepared. https://twitter.com/TorontoStar/status/1264005645889568768
In the current system, electives are much harder to take because there isn't the room to take them. Of their 30 credits, 18 are compulsory. Depending what the requirements are for your university program, you may need extra math or science courses, which leads to fewer options.
We are asking students at a very young age to figure out what they are going to do with their lives without giving them the freedom to explore. Heaven forbid they make a mistake or want to change their pathway. The Arts, H&PE, CO-OP and other programs have seen a decline in Ss.
Not because students don't want to take them, but because they often can't find the space for them in their timetables, depending on their goals. These courses are critical to producing healthy, well rounded individuals who are creative and engaged in school and learning.
But what about the victory lap? The government will only fund so many credits. Once a student goes beyond that, schools and Boards are not funded for those additional credits that they take. So it puts even more pressure on schools to have them graduate within the 4 years.
But other provinces didn't have OAC? Yep, but their students also did get to experience the benefits that extra year brought. The universities themselves would tell you that students are less prepared since the elimination of OAC. That extra year made a huge difference.
We did save lots of money getting rid of OAC but the students are the ones paying the price. They are unable to take electives that are beneficial to their physical and mental health and well being. There is a lot of pressure to hurry up and graduate.
Student who can afford to buy credits from credit mills to boost their average do so instead of taking the time to learn the material. And those who can't afford it take summer school or night school to try to fast track and free up options or time for a spare in grade 12.
We saved money, but the true cost has been the impact on our students and the quality of their education. And that's the bottom line.
