Ontario’s Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) field trip that saw children participate in a march and chant pro-Palestinian slogans.
The school board said the Sept. 18 field trip, which involved a number of TDSB schools, was meant to be an “educational experience,” during which students would hear from the indigenous people of Grassy Narrows about how their community was impacted by mercury poisoning.
But videos circulating online showed the children taking part in a march where some signs referenced Palestine while another video showed a large group of students being told to repeat: “From Turtle Island to Palestine, occupation is a crime.”
The province’s largest school board has been fielding criticism both from parents and politicians, prompting the board to issue an apology last week and promise an investigation into the matter.
Education Minister Jill Dunlop issued a statement on Sept. 24 saying the board was not moving swiftly enough.
“It is clear that the TDSB has failed to take swift and decisive action on this matter. As such, I have asked my ministry to initiate an investigation into the events that took place at the TDSB last week,” she said via email. “Those responsible should be held accountable.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his concerns about the field trip during a press conference in Port Colbourne earlier that day, requesting that Dunlop look into “the situation.”
“We can’t have our kids going to any protest. It doesn’t matter what type of protest it is, they should be in school learning math and arithmetic, spelling and geography, history. That’s what we need to do,” Ford told reporters.
“We can’t be dragging them out of school and going to protests. It just doesn’t cut it. I think every parent believes in that. They should be in school learning. So we'll find out and get to the bottom of it.”
His comments came just a day after he spoke out at another press conference, calling the decision to take students on the trip “disgraceful.”
The school board also issued a statement late in the day to say it would cooperate fully with the ministry’s investigation.
“TDSB has serious concerns about what took place. That is why we immediately launched our own investigation … within 24 hours of the event in question,” the board said, noting that a review of its field trip procedures has been initiated.
“As this situation involved students from approximately 15 schools, as well as multiple staff and students, a thorough investigation will take time to conduct and complete. We have made clear that if the investigation concludes that TDSB policies, procedures or professional standards were not followed, we will take action, including disciplinary action, to ensure accountability.”
School board spokesperson Zoya McGroarty told The Epoch Times in an email it is not yet known when its investigation into the incident will be complete.
“As the investigation has just begun, a timeline for completion is not available at this time,” McGroarty said.
Dunlop’s statement did not say how long it will take her ministry to investigate the matter or when the results would be announced.
