People for Education is a unique organization in Canada: independent, non-partisan, and fuelled by a belief in the power and promise of public education. We create evidence, instigate dialogue, and build links so that people can see — and act on — the connection between public education and a fair and prosperous society.
People For Education
Public education. Public good.
School Closures Extended
January 7th, 2021
Education Task Force would support greater coherence in planning
The province has announced that elementary schools will join secondary schools in staying closed for in-person learning until at least January 25th. For many students, families, educators, support staff, and administrators, the short notice and the rapid changes in plans has been extremely challenging.
To move beyond ad hoc decision-making and create a coherent plan for the coming months, People for Education, along with other education organizations, has called on the province to convene an Education Task Force.
Having policymakers and representatives from health and education at one table would ensure that education decisions affecting 2 million students and their families are informed by evidence, experience, and expertise. It would also help to address the amplification of inequity and the disproportionate impact of COVID on some students and families.
The latest People for Education articles
Summit 2020 Highlights & Resource Bank
Our team has compiled a Summit 2020 resource bank. We’ve included resources shared by both our speakers and attendees as well as recordings of plenary sessions. We hope you enjoy revisiting the Summit or taking a look for the very first time!
Consultation on a Right to Education Framework
Every young person in Canada has a right to education, but currently there is no way of knowing how that right is being upheld and no way to know if all children and young people are able to access a quality education.
Statement from People for Education on anti-Black racism
Anti-Black racism is a reality in our society and in our schools. For many years, People for Education has focused on a range of inequities in Ontario’s education system, but never explicitly enough on the racism that permeates the system.
Remote office
We continue with our virtual office in 2021. Our PFE team members will be glad to respond to inquiries promptly via email.
| Leadership: | Research: |
| Annie Kidder, Executive Director | Elyse K. Watkins, Senior Policy & Research Manager |
| Eloise Tan, Research Program Director | Kate Blair, Project Manager |
| Tracy Fawdry, Advancement Director | Summer Cowley, Research Manager |
| Asia Kotasinska, Research Coordinator | |
| Operations: | |
| Ruvani Ameresekere, Office & Operations Manager | Media inquiries: [email protected] |
| Danielle Wong, Administrative & Communications Coordinator | |
The New Basics
Skills for success in our rapidly changing world
What skills do your kids need in their backpacks to thrive at school, at home, and in life?
What is important in education?
Supporting students’ mental health:
A collective responsibility
With student mental health needs on the rise, how can everyone share in the responsibility of supporting our students? 
We looked at in-school resources, the impact of geography, innovation in promoting school-wide mental health, and the costs of not addressing student mental health.
To find out what’s next and to see our recommendations, read our latest report on student mental health here.
Why public education?
We asked students, educators, parents, and researchers to answer the question "Why public education?"
Here is what they had to say...