|
Harbans
Singh-
"Candidate for Public
School Trustee: Wards 2, 9 & 10, Brampton"
Click pdf
file:
Important Information About Ontario Schools
Total Number of Schools 212
Elementary 182
Secondary 30
Number of Portables 600
Total Number of Students 140,000
Elementary 100,000
Secondary 40,000
Special Education 14,500
ESL 20,000
Use Bus 4,500
French Program 61,500
Total Number of Staff 12,000
Academic 8,700
Business and Support 3,300
PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
A Trustee is a person who is elected in accordance
with the Education Act by the public school taxpayers
every three years during the municipal elections.
He or she governs the public school board in Ontario
by using different approaches. The Education Act
outlines the maximum number of trustees to be
elected in each particular area. Trustees connect
the Peel District School Board to the community.
They ensure that the public school board meets
the needs of every student. Trustees are responsible
for the quality of education that is offered to
their community. Overall, Trustees are responsible
for various aspects of the public school system,
such as supporting the Peel Board and its employees,
ensuring that the Board’s policies are being
respected and approving the financial budgets
for the school year.
To begin with, a Trustee represents and actively
promotes the Peel Board within their wards. They
work in partnership with school councils, and
work to support and encourage public education.
Next, Trustees bring trust among all groups of
employees. They support and provide opportunities
in training and development for the entire board
staff. Trustees evaluate the actions and operations
of senior management within the Board, and appoint
particular positions within the administration,
as outlined in the Education Act.
In addition, Trustees must ensure that the Peel
Board’s laws and policies are current and
all parties operate within them. Trustees are
responsible for establishing and evaluating policies
for the Board, and also encouraging that they
are successfully abided by. A Trustee ensures
that the Board's purpose, governing principles,
functions and activities are being pursued in
a responsible manner.
Finally, the Board of Trustees is responsible
for participating in the development of the annual
budget. They must approve the Board’s budget
and examine its progress throughout the school
year. Trustees must also ensure that the Board
has the appropriate resources needed to support
each of the policies and programs outlined in
the budget.
My Biography
Throughout my years of experience, I have always
considered education as a important tool of my
life. I have received many certificates for many
achievements. I completed my Bachelor of Science
degree from 1978 to 1983 and Bachelor of Education
degree from 1984 to 1985, in Punjab University
Chandigarh, India. Encompassing my school years,
I played leadership roles in the student association
for various activities
I joined the administration department of the
Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board in 1986.
I began working as a science teacher in 1988 at
Tihara Block Sidhwanbet High School, until 1990,
when I came to Canada. I established excellent
organization skills during my teaching career
to work with Teacher's union to complete their
requests.
.
In Canada, I continued to further my education.
I received the Certificate of Excellence from
the UNIX Administration I Sun Solaris 2.5, and
was certified in Microsoft Professional. I attended
Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology
form 1992 to 1997, where I obtained a Computer
Engineering Technology Certificate.
Currently, I work for a pharmaceutical company,
where I have received the Certificate of First
Aid and have been rewarded for the safe working
conditions within the company. I have been working
for this company since 1993, and have gained a
lot of experience from my thirteen years at this
corporation.
These are some of the business results and comments
that I have received from my fellow co-workers,
supervisors, managers and other highly-qualified
individuals concerning my work ethic and achievements:
• “With his many years of experience,
Harbans has developed very strong analytical and
problem-solving skills. He is always ready to
lend a hand to mediate a solution. He is always
called upon his technical expertise.”
• “His dedication to customer service
has given him extreme flexibility to work beyond
his schedule in order to improve service and meet
the goals of both the department and the company.”
• “Harbans is always willing to put
others’ needs before his own and lends a
hand wherever needed. Harbans is a good coach
and mentor to less experienced team members.”
• “Harbans has a firm knowledge of
all GMPs and GLPs, and applies this knowledge
in his daily work. Harbans has read and attended
all required associated training.”
• “He contributes greatly to the team
in order to achieve common goals. He provides
positive and constructive feedback. Harbans takes
an active role in training another team member,
who requires further support in his role. Harbans
works very well in a team environment and brings
an enthusiasm and positive attitude to the team.”
Future Goals
1. Set high expectations for achievements of students
and staff, and measure the outcomes.
2. Encourage positive board/staff and school/community
relationships.
3. Use resources effectively.
4. Maximize student achievement through school
success planning.
5. Ensure students and staffs have a safe and
appropriate place to learn and work.
6. Achieve equity for students and staff.
7. Use technology effectively with students and
staff.
8. Attract, develop, and retain a diverse staff
of committed, dedicated and caring individuals.
FAQ
Why are you running for this position as School
Trustee?
I am running for this position of school trustee
because I wish to get more involved in the school
system, and be able to influence the decisions
that are being made by the Peel Board School District.
As a father of children in Peel schools, I have
been able to see the board at work through the
role as a parent. I wish to use this opportunity
to address the issues within the Peel Board, in
addition to encourage parents to voice their opinions
about their children's education and future.
What is the number one issue in the ward and how
should it be addressed?
The issue in the ward, that should be addressed
is the lack of schools in residential areas. There
should be new schools built for those areas so
that everyone can receive an equal opportunities
to learn and further their education. There should
only be a certain amount of student that attend
existing schools due to the health and safety
reasons among the staff and students.
What is the number one issue in education and
how should it be addressed?
An education issue that we need to improve is
the communication line between the teacher, Peel
District School Board and parent should be well
informed of their child’s progress and achievement
in their academics, athletics, or community work.
The communication process is encouraged through
meeting, surveys, e-mails, phone calls to parents
and guardians to voice their opinions about what
matters the most: the future of their children.
What is the Board’s biggest challenge in
the coming term?
The biggest challenge in the coming term is the
lack of teachers according to the large size of
the class. This has significant effect on the
child's learning. With larger classes, not every
student gets same amount of attention and opportunities.
In a smaller class the student get equal opportunities
and attention, so it is easier for the teacher
to be informing every parent according to the
child’s progress. As well, the teacher will
be able to provide students with additional help
and assist the students to volunteer more in the
class and ask questions. It all depend on the
size of the class per a teacher.
For challengers, what would you do differently
from the incumbent?
To improve the education and opportunities towards
our children, we must face the issues concerning
parents and students head on. I wish to promote
line of communication among parents and the Board.
As a School Trustee, I wish to advocate the need
of the community by addressing the issue that
matter the most, and setting policies into motion
to address community the very concerns that parents
have about the public school systems and their
children’s future. Our children must begin
with a strong foundation of education and opportunities
throughout their years in school, in order to
leave an imprint as future generations.
|
