Updated: Mon Jun. 08 2009 3:04:08 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

A parent-led organization is urging Ontario public schools to do more to help students who are struggling to buy the necessary school supplies.

In an annual report released by People for Education, schools are charging students to pay for art supplies, sports equipment and other materials needed in core learning classes.

The report says 63 per cent of high schools are charging students for course materials and labs. More than 50 per cent of schools charge art students for materials.

The report lists more than a dozen areas where public schools need to improve, calling Ontario to outline a "renewed vision."

Annie Kidder, the group's executive director, said it seems that arts and culture are being "squeezed out."

She said high school students are having a tough time fitting art classes or extra-curricular activities because their schedules are stuffed with required classes and activities that are a credit requirement.

She said students who want these opportunities look outside of school and end up paying extra.

"If you want to be an artist, you're kind of less important to the school system," said Jonathan Scott, 19, who is part of the Ontario Student Trustees' Association.

Kidder said the extra costs are an extra burden for students who come from poor families or less affluent neighbourhoods.

Schools that are in affluent communities tend to have more resources because of parents who step in with a helping hand during fundraisers. But in poorer communities where parents can't assist with fundraising efforts and don't have the money to enroll their kids in extra activities outside of school are "doubly disadvantaged," Kidder said.

"What's worrying about this to us is the potential for inequity," she said.

The report also touched on the problems with corporate donors, saying that companies could have an influence over decisions made at the school if they're helping support the institution.

During the last school year, parents and schools raised $595 million through fundraising, corporate and charitable donations.

Education Minister Kathleen Wynne said creating a new policy could limit the way schools raise money but nonetheless, she said she's "concerned" with the report's findings.

"It does concern me when kids have to pay for labs and course materials," she said.

"I don't think anybody would want to see private dollars determining location of school, curriculum or any of those things, those are the kind of things where we have to draw the line," she added.

Wynne said the government is already taking a look at having schools be part of a larger community hub, just as the report suggested.

"It's something we're actively engaged in and in the coming months you'll see more action on that," she said.

The report looked at a number of other issues, including funding for special education, class size and declining enrolment.

With a report from The Canadian Press