Education Minister Urges Schools to Avoid Controversial Topics

Ontario’s education minister has instructed school boards to make sure that their upcoming graduation ceremonies do not present any “political views” or touch on “divisive or contentious issues of any kind,” as stated in an internal memo obtained by .

The memo, signed by Education Minister Paul Calandra and sent to educators and school board staff, warns that if school boards don’t follow these guidelines, it “poses a real risk to student well-being.”

“I will not hesitate to consider every tool available to me in the Education Act to ensure that students are always put first,” Calandra’s memo said.

“At minimum, boards must ensure that staff are held to the same standards expected of students,” the memo said. 

When asked why the letter was sent out, Emma Testani, press secretary for Calandra’s office, mentioned that “the letter speaks for itself.”

Last year, a high school student in Ottawa was told to stay home after she made pro-Palestinian comments during her graduation speech.

Some students voice concerns

Jayden Deskes, a Grade 12 student from Hamilton who attended a protest against OSAP cuts outside Queen’s Park on Tuesday, expressed concern over the memo.

“I’m an Indigenous student [and] my mom is beading my grad cap. I’m worried that might be something that’s seen as divisive or political,” Deskes shared.

“I’m worried that students won’t be able to represent what their own culture would be … that might [impact] a lot of social justice groups within schools.”

Grade 12 students Jayden Deskes, left, and Aowyn Savage, right, say they’re concerned about the memo sent out to educators and school board staff. ( )

Aowyn Savage, another Grade 12 student from Hamilton at the protest, referred to the memo as “suppressive of young voices.”

“I think it’s a way to make it so that people can’t talk about their political opinions and share what they believe.”

Liezel Navarrete, a Grade 12 student at Father Michael Mc Givney Catholic Academy in Markham, called the message in the memo “devastating.”

“What this is implying is that if you are a student speaking at your graduation.. if you have something that’s important to you [to say], you’re not allowed to say it,” Navarrete pointed out.

“If you’re a valedictorian and you’re representing your class,

you’re not able t o represent th e student perspective th at y ou all collectively feel if y ou’re also , at t he same time , b eing told th at wha t yo u feel i s n ot wha t you should s ay out loud. “

Letter is ‘out of touch’: education union

Martha Hradowy , president o f the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), called Calandra’s letter “out of touch.”

“Teachers and education workers do not need lectures from the Minister about professionalism,” she said in a written statement.

“They demonstrate it every day through the time , care and effort they put into making milestones like graduation ceremonies meaningful for students and families.”

Dan Mac Lean , the TDSB trustee for Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre , described th e language used in th e memo as “harsh.”

“Staff are well aware o f their responsibilities t o be professional and apolitical,” he said.

Mac Lean also noted tha t given th e Ontario government’s recent changes t o OSAP an d st udent protests regarding them , th e government “may be a little more concerned with what th e students may have t o say.”

I n a statement posted on social media , th e Elementary Teachers’ Federation o f Ontario (ETFO) remarked tha t th e memo “ignores th e realities of studen ts’ lived experiences.”

“Educators are highly trained professionals committed t o student well-being , equity , an d human rights an d do not require heavy-handed directives t o uphold these values,” read their statement.

The mem o also comes after a new Ontario law gave th e education minister more power t o take over school boards.

A total of eight school boards are currently under provincial supervision , according t o th e provincial government’s website.

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