POSTED RESPONSE TO A COLUMN BY NEIL REYNOLDS IN TORONTO'S GLOBE AND MAIL
The Lego matter is of virtually no consequence. Indeed, I know from my experience with young kids that Lego used for robots are a good learning, and artistic, material.
Where our government can't say no, and on matters of severe consequence, is to the teachers' union.
Going into a recession, Dalton the Magnificent gave the teachers a multi-year contract unlike what you'd find in any other business.
And for that small fortune in increases, he got nothing of meaning for education. Nothing.
And it's not as though we don't have needs.
Look at the staffing of the School Board in Toronto if you want to see fortunes squandered.
A Director who was a proven flop in Hamilton, yet pulls in a huge salary and benefits, coming up with trivial ideas instead of real management.
A Board so stuffed with political correctness that it can't balance its own budgets.
Superintendents who are mostly flannel-mouthed former principals.
Flocks of "consultants" - teachers tired of the classroom and looking for a break - click-clacking around with notebook computers drawing down handsome salaries for sheer appearances.
And a herd of teachers who cannot even manage to teach the kids such basics as reading and the times-tables, yet insist on being called professionals.
We are talking billions here, not a few million.
