PAGE 24, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1981, WIHITBY FREE PRESS Report from Queen's Park By THE ION. GEORGE ASIE. MPP (PC- Durham West) Ontario Minister of Revenue In April of last year, Bette Stephenson, minister of education, set up the Secondary Education Review Project with instructions that it was to examine almost every aspect of secondary schools, including discipline problems, curriculum content and organization, and the preparation of our students for the world of work; and further that SERP submit its report and recommendations to the minister within one year. As instructed by the minister, SERP tabled a report in the Legisiature last week containing 101 recommendations for improving our secondary school system. One of these recommendations was that the present practice of awarding two secondary school graduation diplomas be replaced with a single diploma and that the system be reorganized so that Abolishing Grade 13 will let students face job market earlier this diploma is achieved by the end of grade 12. Unfor- tunately, most of the publicity surrounding SERP's report has zeroed in on this one recommendation, which is creating considerable confusion in the minds of the taxpayers of On- tario. Each of the 101 recommendations included in the report will now be subject to extensive scrutiny by the legislature, by the government, by the academic world and by the general public. The minister of education expects to respond to the entire report by September of this year, and no further action will be considered until this time. In the meantime, the minister is actively seeking input from all concerned. Over the years, the awarding of two secondary school diplomas ... one for grade 12 and one for grade 13 ... has presented certain problems. The existence of the grade 13 diploma tends to reduce the importance of the grade 12 diploma. In fact, a grade 12 diploma is not even a prerequisite for obtaining a grade 13 diploma." A grade 12 diploma is necessary for. entrance to the com- munity colleges. Because the grade 13 diploma is designed chiefly for students who plan to go on to university, it seems to have a higher status with parents and students alike. Yet when we look at the requirements of the workplace, it is ap- parent we should be doing everything we can to encourage our young people to pursue one of the excellent skills training courses available through our community colleges. Many students in grade 13 reach the age of 19, an age that is legally, and socially more, adult than adolescent. Yet these young adults are still confined within a system designed to the idas (Iuarantees The Top Guns at Midas Guarantee your Midas Muffler for as George Ashe mould, guide and discipline young teenagers. This alone is sufficient to create a certain amount of tension for grade 13 students. This particular issue is only one of one hundred and one crucial issues addressed in the SERP report, which is méant to serve as a springboard for future debate. A limited number of copies of A Discussion Paper from the Secondary Education Review Project are available at my constituency office in Ajax (683-6707). I would certainly en- courage any of my constituents with high-school aged youngsters to read this report carefully, and to provide the Secondary School Review Project with your reaction to all of their recommendations. Guild apologizes for cancelation The St. Margaret's Guild of All Saints' Anglican Chur- ch apologizes for the can- cellation of their cooking show featuring Mary Lisko. A spokesman for the group said that Lisko was ill and apologizes for any incon- venience caused. Save $5.00 This coupon entitles the bearer to $5.00 off any exhaust work done by the Midas Muffler - shop at 1220 Dundas St. E., Whitby 668-1065. Limit one coupon per customer. Redeeumable at time of purchan 1220 Dundas St. E., Whitby 668-1065 ~AJ. TYPEWRITERS REPAIRS & SERVICE ALL MAKES DAN FORTH TYPEWRITER Rentals. Eales & Service 408 Dundas Street West 2940 Daftrth Ave Whitby Toronto 666-1131 est 1930 698- 589 WEED CONTROL 668-9710 WEED CONTROL $17.00 FERTILIZING $18.00 AVERAGE SIZE LAWN Government Guarcnteed Licensed