Vaping in schools: Ontario’s $30 million for surveillance and security won’t address student needs

We have a responsibility to interrogate EdTech and surveillance companies’ claims of offering technological solutions to complex social problems. (Shutterstock)

Ontario’s recent education budget announced a “back to basics” funding formula, which includes $30 million to install vape detectors and security upgrades — measures which will expand the surveillance of students in schools.

The province says the budget signals a huge investment in education, but the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives notes it cumulatively reflects funds for 4,900 fewer educators in classrooms. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation says there’s a cut to funding per student by almost 10 per cent since 2018.