In addition, inclusion of students with special needs is an educational policy and a fact. Yet the ministry has cut funding for facilities and therefore significantly reduced the space in classrooms. This decision is directly counter to the educational decisions being made and in fact is counterproductive to effective learning and teaching. Storage Education requires extensive use of resources. The ministry itself produces reams of curriculum-related materials.
Many subject areas require storage of flammable and toxic materials.
Teachers must store at least a year's worth of lessons and materials, and because of annual changes even an explosion, or a dangerous spill, with regard to flammable or toxic materials that are not stored properly. Lack of safe passageway lessens the ability to evacuate safely during emergencies, especially when students with special mobility needs are involved. The ministry recently put out a document on indoor air quality protocols about which the Federation was neither consulted nor even informed. Nevertheless, we are pleased to see the ministry begin to take this issue seriously. The cutting of space to school facilities is counterproductive to good indoor air quality.