But nothing is more political than the teaching of reading. Argue that some kids need more instruction and less discovery, and you will be branded a flaming right-winger, or at the very least elitist. Nor does the overwhelming evidence in favour of phonics seem to make any difference. There's something there that's as impenetrable as a religious objection. Not all school boards are as bad as Toronto's, and not all schools in Toronto are phonics-free.
Some principals quietly work around the system.
And please don't blame the teachers. The problem's at the top. Nobody ever asks teachers what works or what doesn't work. Meantime, the major players are in spasms of denial. The Education Minister wants teacher testing and police checks.