Students are frustrated by the actions of Doug Ford’s government relative to publicly funded education, as is evident by the following email that was sent out by a Principal of a high school:
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff,
We have been made aware of a province-wide student organized walk-out protesting:
a) changes to the elementary sex education curriculum;
b) cancellation of curriculum writing from an indigenous perspective; and
c) funding cancellation for school repairs (vis a vis the carbon tax cancellation).
The information we have received indicates that students participating will leave classes from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. They will peacefully protest by congregating on the sports field with their peers. I have also been informed that other students who do not wish to leave class may be wearing purple shirts in support of the student-organized initiative.
As indicated, this walkout has been organized by students for students. While not a school or TDSB organized event, the school and the TDSB recognizes the importance of student voice. Student safety is also of utmost concern from a school and a TDSB perspective. As such I encourage parents/guardians and to discuss personal safety with their child(ren) as related to this walkout. Most of our teachers will be in class teaching during the walkout, though we will be assigning those few who are not teaching to oversee those participating. We will also make our local police division aware of the anticipated events. Again as this walkout is not organized by the school we have no idea how many of our students may be participating. We are also unaware of how the media may cover this walkout either at our school, in the city or provincially.
I encourage students and parents/guardians to speak with one another about the issues being protested, and for students to share their intention to walkout (or not) with their parents/guardians.
I appreciate the support of our community with this matter.