The President of the Ontario Teachers Federation is irritated over new legislation that requires new teachers to pass a math test.
Diane Dewing says the Progressive Conservative government is just deflecting from the real issues in education such as crumbling schools and mental health for students.
The provincial government introduced legislation Thursday that will require all new teachers to pass a math proficiency test before receiving their licence to teach.
Dewing told AM800's The Lynn Martin Show the focus is on the wrong issue.
"I think this is another source of tremendous frustration for us," she says. "The issue is not with teachers, teachers are not the problem, the problem is with the lack of correct resourcing."
She says this will result in no change in education.
"I see this as a case of deflection so it is deflecting the conversation to where it needs to be to an easy sound bite," says Dweing.
The bill -- called the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act -- will not subject current teachers to the math test, but will make the quiz mandatory for new educators.
Education Minister Lisa Thompson says the changes will -- quote -- "help ensure that Ontario students are better prepared for success."