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E "A Family Tradition for 126 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, September 22, 1992-3 Junior kindergarten may be legislated by province By Julia Dempsey Port Perry Star The Ontario Government may impose junior kindergart- en on provincial boards of edu- cation which do not already of- fer the program. Bill 20, the legislation impos- ing junior kindergarten, re- ceived first reading in May, and if it becomes law, it would force boards to implement the pro- gram by the 1994-95 school year. At the Durham Board of Edu- cation meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, trustees decided not to challenge the proposed legisla- tion until it becomes law, Scu- gog Trustee Bobbie Drew told the Star. 'The advice came from board lawyer Guy Giorno who said the board had few legal options, A Scugog Township man charged with illegal use of pro- perty for commercial purposes was found guilty in court on Sept. 14 and fined $150. David Malcolm was- charged by Scugog Township last June after converting his farm pro- duce stand, located at the corn- er of Reg. Rd. 57 and the Nestleton Rd., into a conven- 3 addingitis a political issue. "Unreasonableness is not a meaty enough challenge in court," Mrs. Drew said. "It wouldn't hold any weight." "We will continue to lobby the government and our local MPPs," she continued, adding she encourages the public to do the same. Although she believes junior kindergarten would be a viable program and would provide ed- ucational benefits for children who are prepared for it, she says she is "equally sure there are people who consider it day care," and she questions wheth- er, during these rough economic times, the boards could afford it. But the board may not be able to not afford it. Even though the Durham board does not want to implement the program, it must be prepared to do so, because it | Area man charged with illegal use of property ience store. Bylaw officer Bill Henshall said the produce stand has been enlarged into a two-storey structure and is now selling all 'kinds of convenience store type merchandise. Mr. Malcolm pleaded not guil- ty to the charge, which carried a maximum fine of $1,000. under the township bylaws. SCOTTISH HIGHLAND DANCING LESSONS Learn the Highland Fling, Sword Dance & many more! Enter competitions! Call Cathy 434-1383 ages 4 and up and expert advice Most offers come with a hook. This is ours. We simply offer the best selection of frames and mats for prints, pictures or keepsakes. Plus superb craftsmanship ve FRAMER'S GALLERY 237 Queen Street, Port Perry 985- No strings attached 2543 could affect the amount of mon- ey it receives in provincial grants. "If we fight (the legislation) and lose, the government could withhold our grants until we comply," Mrs. Drew said. Al- most 40 per cent ($139 million) of the Durham board's funding comes in the form of provincial grants. Having that money withheld would jeopardize all of the board's programs, she said. Refusing to provide the pro- gram could also result in failing to comply charges from individ- ual ratepayers and the govern- ment. At present, 16 provincial pub- lic education boards -- most of whom are experiencing rapid growth -- do not provide junior kindergarten. "Our problem is we don't have the space," Mrs. Drew said. Sim- ilar to kindergarten, junior kin- dergarten rooms are 50 per cent larger than regular grade class- rooms. They must also be equipped with sinks and spe- cialized play areas. Since space is a concern at many schools, Education Minis- ter Tony Silipo has said the min- istry will look at alternatives. The Durham board is already looking into the option of rent- ing community halls, but ques- tions whether the facilities would be adequate. "Would they have the facili- ties we need (child-sized toilets and lowered sinks)?" she ques- tioned. Liability is also a con- cern, she added. Although the proposed bill has received first reading, Mrs. Drew said the province has yet to fill the boards in on "many un- knowns." The province has said certi- fied teache¥s must be involved in the program, but hasn't stat- ed if they will be the ones teach- ing. "We can't even decide what equipment to purchase," she said. It has been made clear that NM junior kindergarten doesn't have to be provided in every school, but must be provided in every community and the board will be responsible for busing the children. Although it will be imposed on the boards, junior kinder- garten will not be a mandated program. "The board has to provide it but parents don't have to sign their children up for it," Mrs. Drew said. Boards which already provide the program, have an enrol- ment of about 75 per cent of the projected kindergarten enrol- ment, she added. The idea of junior kindergart- en was first proposed by the for- mer Liberal Government. Be- lieving the program has educational benefits, the NDP has continued on with the pro- posal. A. OPPERS LTD. Gord Mills, Durham East MPP, told the Star he believes the proposal is good and will help children grow socially, physically, and mentally. "They will approach a more formal schooling with confi- dence and success," he said. "Children will benefit in the long run" from an early start in school. Mr. Mills said a 1985 report on early primary education shows the public will benefit as well. } The report states every $1,000 invested in early school- ing results in a return of $7,000 through lifetime earnings of the students, a lower need for spe- cial education programs, and other factors. "We must recognize the im- portance of education if we want our children to succeed." 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