Ontario Principals are facing head-on unbearable stress during this time

BY PAUL JUNOR

In many ways the non-profit, non-partisan, independent organization  People for Education has been at the forefront of advocating for an equitable public education system since it was started in 1996 (peopleforeducation.ca/about our history).

Its mission is, “To strengthen a universal public education system that graduates all young people with the skills and competence they need to contribute to a fair and prosperous society and to live happy, healthy, economically secure, civically engaged lives.”

Since its inception, it has conducted an Annual Ontario School Survey, which “Provides an evidence-based perspective on the impact of policy and funding changes on vital areas of public education.” On February 23rd, 2021 it released its preliminary results from its Annual Ontario School Survey (AOSS) for 2020/2021. It revealed that principals are facing enormous stress as they try to operate schools during the  COVID-19 pandemic.

The responses were from 1173 schools, which include: 906 in-person, 226 hybrid and 41 virtual  schools across Ontario. There is no doubt that the pandemic has exerted tremendous pressure on Ontario’s education system as stakeholders, administrators, teachers, parents, caregivers, guardians and trustees struggle to cope. The survey shows that, “Principals are now responsible for ensuring that new provincial COVID screening and reporting requirements are followed each day, acting as liaisons with local public health units, and implementing new policies connected to COVID-19, This also includes maintaining new policies connected to COVID-19, maintaining staff and student cohorts, and physical distancing. In many cases they are the contact tracers, the COVID screeners, and the translators of rapidly changing provincial and local policies.”

In addition to these additional responsibilities, starting in February 2021 they had to ensure that all staff members and each secondary student  followed daily COVID-19 self-screening. A memo followed this from the Ministry of Education on February 16^th, 2021 that they provide information on the results of testing. The survey revealed that in response to the statement, “My recent levels of stress at work feel manageable” the following was noted:

• 36 % of principals of in-person schools agreed or strongly agreed that their levels of stress were manageable compared to 27% of principals of virtual schools.
• 57% of principals of virtual schools disagreed or strongly disagreed that their levels of stress feel manageable, compared to 50 % of principals of in-person and hybrid schools.

In terms of ranking of issues that reflect the distinctive challenges that these administrators face from most, to least challenging they survey revealed:

• Managing student enrolment was ranked #1 and #2 by 72% of principals in virtual school, compared to 15% of principals in hybrid schools.
• Space  and distancing was ranked #1 and # 2 by 73% of principals in in-person schools, compared to 33% of principals in hybrid schools.
• In-person  schools were most likely to rank space and distancing and coordinating staffing in the top two, compared to virtual schools, where principals were most likely to rank managing student enrolment and coordinating staffing in the top two.

Principals came up with four recommendations that would help them:

• Increased and available staff including vice-principals, supply teachers, and support staff
• A reduction in workload including no new initiatives, cancelling non-essential paperwork, and more planning time
• Clearer and more consistent communication, including information before it is announced publicly and  with enough time to implement changes
• Recognition of the impact of COVID-19 on the role of principals in decision-making

There is no doubt that principals are facing head-on unbearable stress during this time. While they have  been relieved of the role of EQAO testing, implementing a new curriculum and School Improvement Plan the pandemic has been stressful. They need immediate support from the government.