Azim Dewan

Trustees, the Board, and the Province

My top priority as a school board trustee would be to advocate for adequate funding and responsible allocation of resources to improve student achievement,special education,school facilities & student well-being. Every student deserves access to a safe,supportive and well resourced learning environment. I bring over 20 years of experience serving as Chair & Vice-Chair of various elementary,middle & secondary school councils & Scarborough regional Vice-Chair. These experiences, given me first person insight into the challenges facing students.

Bullying in Schools

I believe a School Board Trustee can play an important role in reducing these issues by bringing parents, students & educators together.I would work to make school councils more connected with all parents and encourage families from different cultural backgrounds to participate and build a stronger, more inclusive school community.I would arrange regular meetings with parents, educators & students to listen to their concerns and bring these to the Board.I would also support stronger anti-bullying policies to ensure every student feels safe.

Class Sizes and Staffing

As a Trustee, I would advocate for smaller class sizes, to a maximum of 20 students per classroom. I believe smaller class sizes allow teachers to give more individual attention to students and create a better learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.I would advocate for additional EA staffing where needed to ensure students receive proper guidance and support developing their skills. I would also work with parents,educators & school administrators to identify staffing needs and bring these concerns to the Board.

Special Programs and Program Access

These programs play an important role in developing students’ skills, confidence and future opportunities.As Trustee, I would advocate for adequate funding and fair distribution of specialized programs across schools so students do not have to travel far from their communities to access them. I would also work closely with parents, educators, and school councils to understand the needs of students and bring their concerns to the Board. My priority would be to make these programs more accessible and ensure that no student is left behind.