Five of the candidates in Nipissing took part in an education forum last night (Thursday) at West Ferris Secondary School.

One issue that stood out was the future of the EQAO tests.

Three of the parties want to scrap them while two want the tests revised.

Audience member Kathy Klein wanted to know if the candidates were familiar with the questions on the EQAO tests.

“My experience with the test has been that the questions aren’t as straight forward as you would hope, particularly the math questions,” she says.

Other issues included the current sex ed curriculum being taught in the schools, support for a one school board system and labour relations.

Near North District School Chair Dave Thompson says it was a worthwhile exercise.

“And that was the intent of the forum to get education out in the forefront. You heard some deep questions and some very good answers. And that’s what you want to hear from the candidates because everyone knows where they stand and where their party stands,” Thompson says.

He believes the event went well.

“These are important questions that trustees and educators deal with on a daily basis and they’re not discussed very much. This is our one opportunity every four years to discuss these important issues,” Thompson says.

Nine of the 14 questions were from the crowd, with an estimated 40 people in attendance.

Other issues discussed include lower math scores, support for the skilled trades and revamping the funding formula.

Christine Brown is concerned about special education funding in the north.

She says the solutions can’t be solved by money alone.

“What we need are specialty teachers and what that means are those teachers that are versed in their profession, whether that be math, science or music,” she says.

Election day in Ontario is June 7th.

Filed under: education-forum, nipissing