By CBC News | Link to Article
Hundreds of people have signed a petition urging Edmonton’s francophone school board to hire more immigrant teachers.
By CBC News | Link to Article
Hundreds of people have signed a petition urging Edmonton’s francophone school board to hire more immigrant teachers.
The petition, signed by 500 people, says many families from Edmonton’s growing immigrant francophone community have enrolled their children in schools managed by the Greater North Central Francophone Education School Board.
“Unfortunately with 20 years of existence, we see that the [board] has put in little effort in ensuring its personnel reflect the diversity of its student population,” the petition reads.
Parent Victor Moke-Ngala, who helped launch the petition with a group of parents of African descent, says no teachers at his daughter’s school, École Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc, share her ethnic background. He says his daughter told him she would not feel comfortable with a black teacher because she has never had one.
“So in her mind, it’s like a teacher should only be a white person,” he said.
“Diversity is among students but diversity is not among teachers. I would like to have my child be in a school where she can see teachers from her culture… So those teachers can be seen as role models for them and also show them that opportunities are for everyone.”
Some parents say a diverse staff is important for all students, not just those of immigrant background, to prepare them for the real world after they graduate.
“The world will be very diverse and it is essential that they be exposed to that diversity, not only among fellow students but also personnel,” said Moke-Ngala.
Parent Jeanne Lehman says the teaching staff needs to better reflect Canada’s multiculturalism. There are no teachers of African heritage teaching at her son’s school, École Joseph-Moreau, she says.
Education is not just about academics but also a place to promote unity, inclusion and understanding, she said.
“For children to have teachers of diverse origin helps them to be good citizens.”