TORONTO - More than half the province's elementary schools have an increasing number of students who aren't fluent in English but no specialized teachers to help them.

That's according to a new report being released Tuesday by the group People for Education.

The Canadian Press has learned that the report found 53 per cent of Ontario elementary schools have students who qualify for English as a Second Language courses but aren't getting them.

One quarter of secondary schools are in a similar predicament.

Annie Kidder, with People for Education, says school boards are dipping into cash for ESL students and using it to pay for basics like school maintenance.

Another report being released Tuesday by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says Ontario's special education and ESL students are paying the price for the province's chronic underfunding of basic needs.