The issue of black-focused schools has been brought up again. The Toronto Star reports that the Toronto District School Board may be opening such schools to cater to African Canadian students by next fall.
Now this brings back the issue of segregation and the entire debate we had during the last election concerning the funding of faith-based schools. Even though this isn't exactly the same thing, as say funding Jewish schools, didn't Ontarians just overwhelmingly voted against segregating our children in the classrooms?
According to the article, some community workers feel that the "status quo" isn't working and that the need for such schools is there. By fulfilling this need, are we directing Canadians toward a dangerous slippery slope debate and opening up Pandora's Box?
Currently in Toronto, there are existing high schools set up specially for children of First Nations background and for Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered/Bisexual teenagers. Since segregation in the Ontario public school system has already taken place among divides like ethnic background and sexual orientation, who are we to say which groups do or do not have the "need" to have their own public schools? In Canada, we take pride in multiculturalism and equality, but when does "need" override such values?
This is definitely a discussion and a debate that needs to take place.
Source: http://www.thestar.com/News/article/273910
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
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3 comments:
Despite it's merits it just seems like a scary idea.
The students who go to these school have almost always dropped out of regular schools due to persecution or have been expelled due to opposotion to authority. They are in essence "special needs students" based in part on their racial background or sexual orientation. It is really no different than having "gifted schools" which also exist in many school boards for students who are also special needs and can have behavioural problems or drop out as well if left unchallenged or misunderstood.
These schools and their premise are totally different than "segregation" or religious funding. These students are having trouble functioning in the regular system where their needs are not met. Religious schools are not for studetns who couldn't otherwise function.
You are completely off the mark there and there is no comparison.
I fully support all parents right to choose what they believe to be the right educational choice for their child, be it Black-focused, French Immersion, arts-based, sports-based, etc. I would never dare to analyze whether their child could function adequately in the "regular" public school or has other needs or desires. All I am asking is for support for my choice: faith-based education for my children in my faith.
Ontario continues to fully fund Catholic schools as well as a myriad of school choices which expands each year. I am dismayed to have a Premier who supports funding for 675,000 Catholic students in his faith, while all other faiths receive zero of their tax contributions should they wish an education in their faith.
A UN Human Rights Commission (a non-political judicial branch) ruled in 1999 and 2005 that Canada is in violation of international laws due to Ontario's discriminatory school funding policy. I would hope that Ontario will move to an reasonable solution, such as partial funding for all faiths as is done in 5 other provinces, before the issue is reviewed by the UN (expected within the next year).
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