As a Grade 11 student, I've faced mental health challenges that, at times, have impacted my ability to attend school. This experience has shown me firsthand how dehumanizing and unfair it is for students like myself to have our grades penalized due to circumstances beyond our control. It pains me to see my academic achievements, which average in the high 80s to low 90s, be diminished simply because I miss some school days. This limitation becomes even more concerning in the face of OSAP cuts, threatening my post-secondary education opportunities.

This isn't just frustrating, it's completely unfair.

The "Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026" imposes strict attendance policies that, while aiming to improve educational outcomes, inadvertently discriminate against vulnerable student populations. Evidence shows that such policies disproportionately affect students with disabilities, including those with anxiety and chronic illnesses, as well as Indigenous students and those from low-income households. For these groups, the barriers to regular attendance are often multifaceted and rooted in external factors like access to transportation and caregiving responsibilities.

According to Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, this act may be viewed as a violation of equality rights. It is essential that educational policies account for the diversity of student experiences and offer equitable opportunities for success, rather than serve as vehicles for punitive measures against those already facing significant challenges.

The negative impact of these policies extends across student communities, intensifying issues of inequality in education rather than addressing them. By penalizing students for attendance issues that arise from personal and systemic hardships, we risk magnifying educational inequalities rather than achieving the goal of advancing student achievement.

I am calling for an amendment to the "Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026" to ensure that educational policies align with the principles of equality and inclusivity. I urge policymakers to consider flexible attendance measures that recognize diverse student needs and circumstances, and provide support systems that address the root causes of attendance challenges; rather than limiting the students. 

I invite you to support this cause to make education more equitable for all students. Please sign this petition and advocate for a fairer educational policy that honors every student's right to succeed without being punished for obstacles they cannot control. Together, we can push for a reform that truly embodies putting student achievement first.