March 10, 2021 — Over 400 years of Canadian history is unknown because it has been unacknowledged, ignored, or omitted from the curriculum and resources used in publicly-funded education in Ontario. For students, teachers, and education workers to learn about, remember and celebrate the rich Black history in Canada requires a significant change in our schools. There must be an end to the #BlackedOutHistory in the education system.
OSSTF/FEESO supports a new way forward, a way that must put an end to the #BlackedOutHistory that is taught in Ontario’s publicly-funded schools. We agree that the antiquated and incomplete Black history taught in Ontario’s schools, across multiple grades and courses must change so that all curriculum materials are, to the greatest extent possible, inclusive and free of discriminatory bias and terminology. Moreover, staff and students must focus on acknowledging, respecting, and celebrating a more inclusive Black history, one that must include a more accurate account of all of the experiences and identities in the province, country, and world. Systemic change requires leadership and direction from the Ministry of Education and decision-makers at the board level to provide long-term support to avoid inconsistent implementation in our schools.
Therefore, we call on the Ministry of Education to provide new, additional, permanent funding to support the updates required to the Ontario curriculum and instructional resources used in classrooms to reflect the Black history of this province, country, and world. A new curriculum and related instructional resources must be developed through collaboration and consultation with Black front-line workers and organizations. The Ministry of Education must provide, along with the curriculum policy, appropriate course profiles, adequate funding for learning resources in both official languages, and relevant professional development for educators well in advance of the date of implementation.
Furthermore, we call on all boards of education, the Ministry of Education, faculties of education and other post-secondary institutions to adequately fund and facilitate professional development opportunities to assist teachers and education workers in developing practices that dismantle anti-Black racism.
OSSTF/FEESO is committed and prepared to advocate and act in a manner that will enhance publicly-funded education in Ontario.