 |
|
|
12 Good reasons to support affordable community access to school space
By Dr. Richard Shingles
|
- Improves student performance
Studies have shown that participation in school-based after-hours
programming like Guides, Scouts, sports and recreation has a positive
impact on learning and improves education outcomes for children
and youth. Children's programs in the early years support their
early learning, brain development, and readiness to learn when
entering school.
- Encourages physical activity and healthy lifestyle development
Access to social and recreational programs for children, youth, and adults results in a healthier population with lower rates of obesity. When people are healthier, we reduce pressure on health care and social service budgets. For example, Sports Alliance reports that for every 1% increase of physical activity among our population, the government saves $30 million dollars in health care costs. Any reduction of programs using school facilities has a direct impact on the rates of childhood obesity and the onset of other potential health problems such as childhood diabetes.
- Provides a cost-effective use of school space
Providing after-hours access to schools maximizes use of school space. Taxpayers get better value for their investment in schools. Accessible recreational and social opportunities for children are more affordable in the long-term than the costs associated with reducing access to such programs. Such costs include the health costs of the growing problem of childhood obesity, the social costs of crime and delinquency, and the costs incurred by problems in our classrooms. Research by Dr. Gina Brown has clearly demonstrated spin-off savings from after school recreation programs for children and young adults (e.g., social assistance, counselling, and health services).
- Prevents crime
Organizations such as the National Crime Prevention Centre recognize that recreation, leadership opportunities, and other development programs for children and youth prevent crime. Shrinking access to school space for social and recreational activities will lead to higher costs for dealing with delinquency and crime in the long term. Chief Justice Roy McMurtry, for example, cited the importance of recreation to reducing crime.
- Increases opportunities for newcomer settlement and integration
School-based English as a Second Language (ESL) and settlement programs provide essential supports to newcomers and help them adapt to their new life in the USA.
- Promotes volunteerism and community participation
Volunteers are the hallmark of a healthy community, performing many valuable services for their communities at minimal costs. To provide viable contributions to community potential, the voluntary sector relies upon supports such as access to community space.
- Sustains community programs
Escalating permit fees for community use of school space mean that higher fees “trickle down” to program participants. Some participants drop out, and programs are forced to pass on still higher fees to remaining participants. Resulting losses of participants have caused many volunteer-based, not-for-profit groups across the province to cancel programs or close down. This has diminished the voluntary sector and reduced opportunities for community participation.
- Encourages artistic and cultural expression
Opportunities for communities to 'come together' in community spaces increase social cohesion and nurture the development of cultural and community events. Extracurricular community programs involving the arts, dance, or music support children’s readiness to learn.
- Promotes life-long learning
A wide range of pre-school, school-age, youth, and adult education programs depend upon access to affordable space in locations such as schools. A community culture of lifelong learning creates a more educated, skilled, and competitive labour force.
- Fosters accessibility and inclusion
The Council for Social Development reports that children from economically disadvantaged homes tend to have reduced rates of participation in recreation. Raising participant fees will disproportionately affect low-income families and children by further limiting their access to program. Lower income children and youth are the first to drop out of programs when fees rise.
- Promotes community well-being
Schools, built and maintained with tax-dollars, are a vital resource for the entire community. Historically, schools have welcomed local groups and enabled them to provide a wide range of after-hours programs and activities for children, youth, adults, and seniors. School boards have the financial resources to offer space freely or for nominal fees. This not only upheld the principle of public access to publicly-funded facilities, but also resulted in schools becoming important hubs of community activity. They serve as voting centres during elections, meeting places for the community, and offer refuge during natural disasters. Their contribution to community well-being is enormous.
- Fits with government policy directions
Access to public space and school facilities also helps advance many objectives of government. These include:
- health promotion (e.g., obesity and diabetes prevention);
- crime prevention;
- Sport’s Action Plans;
- Local Policies (1) a healthy start; (2) an adult who cares; (3) safe places to learn and grow; (4) the tools to succeed; (5) a chance to make a difference).
|
|
