Education Ministry to investigate TDSB over 'field trip' to political protest

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Citing a lack of action by Canada’s largest school board, Ontario’s Education Ministry will investigate how dozens of Toronto District School Board students ended up attending a “field trip” to a political rally.

Education Minister Jill Dunlop announced the move in a statement issued Tuesday evening, criticizing the TDSB for not taking action.

“It is clear that the TDSB has failed to take swift and decisive action on this matter,” the statement said. 

“As such, I have asked my ministry to initiate an investigation into the events that took place at the TDSB last week.”

Those responsible, she said, should be held accountable.

Parents and community members were shocked to learn that TDSB students as young as eight were brought to a Sept. 18 Grassy Narrows protest at Grange Park.

Despite acting TDSB board chair Neethan Shan’s assertions that students would only be observing the protest, videos and eyewitness accounts allege that students were encouraged to take part and emails from teachers at ALPHA Alternative Junior School clearly stated their grades 3 to 6 students would attend to “stand in solidarity” with Grassy Narrows.

That protest promptly turned into an anti-Israel demonstration with organizers and teachers allegedly leading anti-Israel chants.

When one Jewish Grade 8 student told her teacher the chants were making her uncomfortable, a relative said she was allegedly told she’d “get over it.”

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As well, students were asked to wear blue shirts to the protest, to mark themselves as “settlers.”

Michelle Stock, Ontario vice-president for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA,) told the Toronto Sun in a statement that the province’s decision reflects the disappointment felt by parents and praised the minister for her swift action. 

“While it is unfortunate that such measures need to be taken, greater board accountability is required to ensure that all students and educators feel safe and included,” she said.

“The field trip should not have occurred in the first place. Jewish students were exposed to hateful chants about Jews and Israel that should have been foreseen by TDSB principals and administrators.”

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
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