Students from Judith Nyman Secondary School in Brampton are angry and disappointed after the Ministry of Education pulled the plug on funding for the school’s electricity program.

“This is terrible,” said 16-year-old Shiv Patel. “I’m mad.”

Teacher Matt Gancasz confirmed the program was cancelled due to recent education cuts and said it will run until the end of the year.

The Peel District School Board offered the full-time electricity program for students from Grade 9 to 12; it was the only one of its kind in the region, said Sara Toon, 17. “The program has always been full.”

She and the other students learned on April 29 the electrical program was being cut despite the Ford government’s promise to put money into the trades. “It’s malarkey,” Toon said.

The four-year program prepared students for a career in the electrical industry, said Jacob Everette, 17, who is in the fourth year of the program and is already getting apprenticeship offers for when he finishes.

“The electrical program provides students with a solid, basic foundation in the electrical field,” Gancasz said in an email. “Students learn how to wire residential circuits in a booth that have stud walls and electrical panels to test at 120 volts.”

“Students also learn how to bend electrical conduit for commercial construction,” Gancasz added. “Students also learn basic electrical theory involving different cross-curricular disciplines involving math, science, physics and technical literacy.”

Gancasz said the electrical program has seen many students successfully attain an electrical apprenticeship or enter college in the electrical field. Students who are involved in the electrical program also have the opportunity to work with an electrical contractor for a co-op program, which also involves students attending Sheridan College.

“Hands-on learning is the best,” Patel said.

In addition to learning electrical theory, Danny Nguyen, 16, said the students also receive additional training, such as CPR.

The students had nothing but praise for their electrical program teacher, who they affectionately refer to as Mr. G. “He’s incredible,” said Jacob Everette, 17, adding his parents plan to meet with the school.

Carrie Andrews, school board trustee for wards 7 and 8 in Brampton, said in an email that she hasn’t heard from any parents about the proposed cuts.

In the meantime, students from Peel and elsewhere across the province have been protesting cuts to education funding.

On May 4, approximately 120 students and union members gathered at Brampton City Hall to voice opposition to funding cuts. On April 5, students took part in a provincewide walkout to protest proposed changes the Ford government is making to the education system.

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In the meantime, the Peel school board trustees have sent two letters to Ontario Education Minister Lisa Thompson about concerns related to the cancellation of secondary courses and concerns over recent announcements.

There has been no response from the ministry so far, said Carla Pereira, director of communications and community relations with the board.

Marta Marychuk is a reporter with the Brampton Guardian. Reach her via email: mmarychuk@metroland.com

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