TVO's Your Voice examines the challenges of northern Ontario schools

- Program recorded at Timmins High and Vocational School available online at tvoparents.com beginning March 26; broadcast on TVO March 28 at 6 pm

TORONTO, March 25 /CNW/ - How will the loss of jobs in industries such as mining and forestry affect education in northern Ontario? And how do you get kids from the north to return to their home towns after they have left to go to school elsewhere? TVO's Your Voice with host Cheryl Jackson was at the Timmins High and Vocational School on March 22 to record a program examining issues affecting the education of children in northern Ontario. The wide-ranging discussion looked at issues from declining enrolments to lack of special-needs resources, and how those realities affect children both in the classroom, and at home.

"Many of economic issues that are facing northern Ontario communities we discussed from the point of view of families, their children and education in the north," says Cheryl Jackson. "Along with issues such as declining enrolment and loss of services that many regions are facing we looked at some uniquely northern challenges such as how school boards can service such a huge territory and how to provide full education to some of the smaller schools."

Cheryl's guests for the program include Jim Bot, principal of Elk Lake Public School. Elk Lake has 36 students in total and covers JK to Grade 8. It is a prime example of what happens as enrollment declines. Also joining Cheryl for the discussion are Coleen Landers, trustee for the Northeastern Catholic District School Board and Timmins "Woman of the Year" in 2008 for her volunteer work, and Jo-Anne Plaunt one of five superintendents in the District School Board Ontario North East.

This show will be available on tvoparents.com beginning Friday March 26, and broadcast on TVO on Sunday March 28 at 6 pm.

About Your Voice

Your Voice is TVO's discussion series and an online resource for parents of children under the age of 12. Host Cheryl Jackson talks to leading experts in child development and education, to help you help your children succeed in school. New programs are available online at tvoparents.com every Friday, and on air on TVO Sundays at 6 pm. At tvoparents.com you'll find Cheryl's interviews, plus articles, research, links, and other resources. You can also take a poll or a quiz, join a discussion, and send questions you would like answered on upcoming shows.

About TVO

TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Where to find TVO

Cable channel 2 (channel may vary in some areas), Bell TV channel 265, Shaw Direct channel 353.

For further information: Media Contacts: Paul Ginis, TVO Communications, [phone] ext. 2445, [email protected]; Angela Garde, TVO Communications, [phone] x2305, [email protected]