In the past, many high school students had benefited tremendously by taking an extra year in high school to further their education. However, after the Ministry of Education introduced the 34 credit cap limit during the 2013/2014 school year, many high school students could no longer benefit from the extra year.

To graduate from high school, a student will need to earn 30 credits. Most courses offered in high school are equivalent to one credit. If an individual does not opt to take any spare periods during their final year, they will graduate with a total of 32 credits. With a cap limit of 34 credits, this only leaves room for 2 additional credits a student may earn. This poses a problem because repeated courses count as additional credits as well. This is a clear problem for returning students who want to take an extra year to prepare for post-secondary education, as the credit cap limit restricts students from upgrade courses further.

The Ministry is shifting the standard in Ontario, so that students do not feel they have the option to return to high school for another year. The Ministry’s cap does not recognize individuality, but rather creates hardship for students looking for an extra year in order to progress themselves.

Though alternatives are offered to students for extra credits such as night school, they are not as convenient or offer the same support as regular day class. These programs also lack in variety in comparison to courses available to a regular high school student. Therefore, these alternative methods are not a viable option for individuals who want to take extra courses.

Education is a right, not a privilege. We the undersigned believe that it is in our best interest to invest in our youth, as they are our future. We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

Petition the Ministry of Education to make our students a priority again by eliminating the 34 credit cap for high school students.