Overwhelming Support for “Money Skills” in High School

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Overwhelming Support for “Money Skills” in High School

Plurality believe government should invest more in education

Toronto, April 3rd – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 884 Ontario voters, almost nine-in-ten (86%) support the government’s decision to introduce financial literacy, also referred to as “money skills,” into the provincial high school curriculum. Only (5%) disapprove, with (9%) responding that they do not know.

Respondents most likely to approve of the introduction include those with a college or university degree (89%) or a post-graduate degree (87%), and supporting the Green Party (90%) or NDP (89%).

More investment in education needed: plurality

When asked if the government invests enough money into the education system (44%) said no. Just over a third (36%) of the respondents say yes, the government does invest enough, and (19%) report that they do not know. 

Respondents most likely to say the government does not invest enough include those aged 34 or younger (46%) or 35-44 (49%), females (50%), the least wealthy (51%), living in the 905 (52%), with a post-graduate degree (49%), and supporting the NDP (56%).

Respondents most likely to say the government does invest enough include males (43%), earning $80,000-$100,000 (44%), and the most wealthy (41%), living in Southwestern Ontario (42%), and supporting the PCs (45%). 

Ontario’s education system: not bad

The plurality of respondents indicate that they consider the quality of Ontario’s Education System to be average (39%). A third of respondents (TOP2: 33%) rate it above average, with (25%) saying the quality is somewhat high and (8%) responding it is very high. (22%) say the quality is below average, with (16%) saying the quality is somewhat low (16%), and (6%) responding it is very low.

Teachers’ salary: fair

Almost half of all respondents say that Ontario school teachers’ salary is adequate, with (48%) saying that they are paid enough. (19%) percent believe they need to be paid more and (21%) they are paid too much.

Respondents most likely to say they are paid enough include those aged 45-54 (54%), males (50%), earning $40,000-$60,000 (59%), living in Northeastern Ontario (52%), with a college or university degree (52%), and supporting the Green Party (58%). 

Those who say they need to be paid more include respondents aged 34 or younger (28%), females (22%), earning $20,000-$40,000 (34%), living in Toronto (27%), with a post-graduate degree (25%), and supporting the NDP (29%) or Liberal Party (28%).

Respondents who report that teachers are paid too much include those earning $80,000-$100,000, living in Southwestern Ontario (24%) or the 905 (23%), and supporting the PCs (30%).

School closures: slow down

Almost six-in-ten (59%) believe that school closures should be frozen until a review of the government’s closure guideline occurs. Only (18%) say that no, school closures should not be frozen, with (22%) saying they do not know.

Respondents most likely to say yes to a freezing of school closures include those aged 45-54 (65%), females (65%), the least wealthy (68%), living in Southwestern Ontario (68%), with some college or university (67%), and supporting the NDP (68%).

Those most likely to say no to a freezing of school closures include those aged 35-44 (25%), males (25%), the most wealthy (31%), living in Eastern Ontario (31%), with a university or college (22%) or post-graduate degree (25%).

“Overall, public opinion on Ontario’s Education System is positive. Most people think the system is average or better and think teachers are paid fairly. One thing that’s quite clear is that the introduction of financial literacy into the high school curriculum is a winner, with almost nine-in-ten responding they approve,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.