What good is revamped curriculum if delivered in unhealthy portables?

June 2, 1999

The Toronto Star

9-2-1998

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What good is revamped curriculum if delivered in unhealthy portables?

I was deeply disturbed upon reading your Aug. 15 editorial, Back to

the classroom - a mouldy portable.

Having spent eight consecutive years as an elementary teacher in a

leaky portable classroom, I am extremely concerned and shocked that

the Mike government has refused to provide adequate funds for

removing deadly moulds from classrooms.

Besides causing and aggravating respiratory problems, I am also concerned

that long-term exposure to moulds can cause other serious health problems.

I was recently diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis and was shocked

to learn that one of its possible causes is prolonged exposure to

antigens, such as mould.

It is not just moulds, however, that need to be cleaned out of portables.

In many cases, portables are havens for mice and rats. In such cases,

deadly mice droppings and carcasses need to be removed, as well as

moulding insulation.

By not providing funds for the proper clean-up of affected portable

classrooms and by not ensuring regular inspections of portable classrooms,

the government is clearly jeopardizing the present and future

health of our children.

For a government that professes to be concerned about ``quality education,

'' I am appalled that so little emphasis is placed on providing a

healthy and safe school environment.

What good is a ``new, challenging curriculum'' if it is delivered

in classrooms that have the potential to make children and staff seriously

ill?

Surely, if the Conservatives can find money to display all of their

big, blue ``Your Tax Dollars at Work'' signs, which have been popping

up at road construction sites throughout the province, they can ensure

that our children are not educated in mice-infested, mouldy portables!

Marie Boucher

Little Britain, Ont.

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