The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) was pleased by yesterday’s announcement that the Government of Ontario will fund a continued expansion of spaces in teacher education programs.

Dr. Paul Davenport, Chair of COU, and the President of The University of Western Ontario, reacted positively to the announcement by Hon. Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Hon. Janet Ecker, Minister of Education. “The Government has committed that, by 2001-02, annual spending on teacher education will increase by $11.25 million over 1998-99 levels. This is good news and it affirms the public priority to invest in quality postsecondary programs and meet the increased demand for teachers in Ontario,” said Dr. Davenport.

“Ontario universities want to help respond to the identified teacher shortage,” said Dr. Davenport. “The Government’s plan will help us do that by recognizing the full cost of these additional enrolments.”

For further information:

Arnice Cadieux
Executive Director, Public Affairs
(416) 979-2165 ext. 224

Dr. Paul Davenport
University of Western Ontario
(519) 661-3106