Latest findings from People for Education's 2022-23 Annual Ontario School Survey showcase persisting inequities in students' access to extracurriculars, school activities and other learning opportunities.
Learning opportunities in schools that extend beyond the curriculum and include a broad range of activities such as sports, music, field trips, plays, and clubs are an essential part of a quality education. Participation in these kinds of activities is associated with improved mental health and well-being, academic success, and the development of vital skills and competencies that can benefit students well into their adult lives. However, do all students have equal access to these learning opportunities?
In People for Education's 2022-2023 Annual Ontario School Survey (AOSS), 1,044 principals across all 72 publicly funded school boards in the province responded to questions on learning opportunities available at their schools. Principals were asked about each school's availability of activities such as breakfast programs or learning an instrument during school hours, extracurricular clubs such as student leadership groups or 2SLGBTQ+ alliances, and opportunities such as participation in educational field trips and organized sports.
