A Toronto School Board committee has voted down a motion that would prohibit political activism in the classroom.
The motion was brought forward by Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustees Weidong Pei and Dennis Hastings during the May 29 meeting of the governance and policy committee.
The two trustees said in their motion that there had been “several instances” in the last three years where TDSB staff have used organizational resources to “advance their personal political agendas.”
The motion asked for a report to be submitted to the committee outlining existing policies about political activism and restrictions on them during school or instructional time. It also asked for recommendations on where the current policies fall short to prevent TDSB resources from being used by staff for political activism.
Mr. Pei said the curriculum provides opportunities for students to discuss current affairs and differing opinions. He said his motion would allow students to develop their own opinions on issues and not have opinions “handed to them ready-made.”
Students are being indoctrinated and told to “get out there and cause absolute mayhem,” Mr. Hastings said during the meeting.
“I would like to have no politics in our classrooms, I really would, because it’s not good for us. It’s not good for them.”
Leola Pon, the board’s associate director of organizational transformation and accountability, spoke against the motion, as did several trustees.
“This motion as it is written and as it has just been explained, is not appropriate or necessary and if it’s passed as it is, in my view, represents a broad overreach and it’s very concerning,” Ms. Pon said at the meeting. “It causes risk of misuse, inconsistent enforcement, noncompliance, and also increases our legal risk.”
She said the motion was also inconsistent with other school board policies as well as the Human Rights Code, the Education Act, and ministry of education guidelines. She added that the motion raises “very serious” questions about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Trustee Shelley Laskin echoed Ms. Pon’s comments, saying that as a Jewish trustee she has fought discrimination for years.
“I wouldn’t be supporting this motion because it seems to be combating anti-Semitism by using examples purporting to be pro-Palestinian and I reject that divisive argument. I stand against all hate and will continue to do so,” she said.
She added that the language of the motion had “far right overtones” and did not add to efforts to fight anti-Semitism or “hate in all its forms.”
“I believe our educators are professionals and I believe the vast majority understand their profession; their personal political agenda stays out of classrooms,” Ms. Laskin said. “But rich conversations belong in classrooms, supporting the identities of all students belongs in classrooms.”
Trustee Michelle Aarts also spoke against the motion.
“The language in this motion includes removing books, political activism, and political indoctrination, which is undefined in the motion,” she said. “But it’s the same language used by extremist groups in Canada, who are openly anti-trans, anti-immigration, and anti-Semitic to deny and they always seek to deny human rights.”
Protests Against TDSB Activities
Parents have previously raised similar concerns.The letter said there had been instances of children performing Nazi salutes and drawing swastikas on bus windows. There was also anti-Semitic graffiti in bathrooms, Jewish stars left on students’ desks, and threats about gas chambers, Hitler, and concentration camps.
“It is disheartening to learn of the apparent inadequacy in the TDSB’s response to these incidents. The safety and well-being of our children should be paramount, and it is clear that immediate action is necessary to address this disturbing trend,” the letter said.
Parents said there had been instances of a boy exposing himself to a Grade 1 girl, boys kicking in the bathroom stall doors while girls were using them, girls feeling uncomfortable, and Muslim girls unable to remove their hijab to wash before prayer.
The letter was written after a petition was sent to the board asking for the change, but parents were not happy with the board’s response, which said it would install longer bathroom stall doors in an attempt to eliminate issues.
