The study examines three options: the status quo “bottom-of-the-barrel” scenario, what it takes to bring the ratio to a “middle-of-the-road” scenario, and what it takes to elevate Ontario to the status of North American leader in quality postsecondary education. [...] In addition to threatening the quality of education and research capacity of our universities, and damaging the province’s overall productivity, Ontario’s competitiveness in the global market is jeopardized by the faculty shortage. [...] One of the most widely used quality measurement tools, the ratio of students to faculty, is critical to both the learning experience of the student and the teaching effectiveness of the faculty member. [...] Worst case scenario: if the provincial government fails to increase funding to reduce the student/faculty ratio, and the current ratio of 24:1 continues, Ontario will remain at the bottom of the barrel. [...] In 1995-96 the student/faculty ratio at Ontario universities was 18:1.2 For Ontario to return to the middle-of- the-road, the provincial government would need to invest heavily in faculty hiring to reach the 18:1 target of yesteryear.
- Pages
- 10
- Published in
- Canada
