DDSB trustee candidates in Ajax and Pickering are outlining different priorities for students and families as the October 26 municipal and school board election approaches.
Waqqas Syed, who is running in Ajax, is calling for clearer communication with newcomer families. Pickering candidate Amjad Muhammad is emphasizing school conditions, public education funding and student safety, according to interviews published by Wesal TV on October 20.
Their proposals are campaign positions. They are not announced changes to Durham District School Board policy, spending or school services.
Syed proposes more accessible school information
Syed told the outlet that parents new to Canada can encounter both language barriers and unfamiliar school procedures. He identified report cards, special education and finding academic support as areas where families may need clearer guidance.
His proposals include translating important information into commonly spoken languages, making interpreters available at parent-teacher meetings, and explaining school procedures through plain language and short videos.
He also suggested that community organizations could help schools connect with families who have difficulty getting information. Multilingual information sessions and more opportunities for parents to ask questions form part of that approach.
For students learning English, Syed said language development needs to be supported alongside other classroom learning. He wants schools to identify needs early and keep parents informed about available help.
Syed described more than 20 years of service to Ajax families, including 12 years with the DDSB, in the interview. Those biographical details were supplied by the candidate.
Muhammad raises capacity and safety concerns
Muhammad told Wesal TV that overcrowded schools and buses, health and safety, education funding and teachers leaving the profession should receive attention.
He described himself as a Pickering resident of 14 years and a parent of three. He said he came to Canada as a child in 1993 and speaks four languages, experiences he connects to understanding the challenges faced by newcomer families.
Muhammad said schools should include students regardless of religion, skin colour or country of origin. His proposed approach is to listen to parents and residents, bring their concerns to the board and recommend policy changes.
Both DDSB trustee candidates emphasized giving parents more opportunities to raise concerns. Syed focused on understanding procedures and accessing support; Muhammad emphasized identifying problems through community input and bringing them forward.
Trustee role differs from school administration
Trustees help establish board priorities, review policies and reports and oversee spending. They also bring concerns from students, parents and communities to the board. Staff and the board’s chief executive officer handle daily operations.
The interviews offer voters an account of these two candidates’ stated priorities, not a comparison of every person running in Ajax or Pickering. Residents should consult their municipality’s certified candidate information and voting instructions when preparing to vote on October 26.
