Ontario education minister urges parents not to pull kids from school for sports
New mandatory attendance rules are coming this fall, and Paul Calandra has a message: don't let sports schedules override the classroom.
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Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra is making it clear: sports should not come before school. The province has unveiled mandatory changes for schools starting this fall aimed at keeping students in class.
The move reflects a broader tension between athletic opportunity and academic attendance. Calandra's message targets parents who pull children out of school for sports competitions and training, signalling the government's position that education comes first.
Students and teachers are already weighing in on the new rules, which will affect how schools handle absences and scheduling conflicts. The specifics of the mandatory changes will take effect when schools reopen in September.
