Released interim report on Peel District School Board reveals serious concerns

BY PAUL JUNOR

The provincial study of the Peel District School Board (PDSB) released its interim report on December 30^th, 2019 to the Minister of Education, Stephen Leece. It comes four months after the minster announced a formal review of the PDSB to address concerns about equity, anti-black racism and serious issues related to governance, leadership and human resources.

The three reviewers: Ena Chadha, Suzanne Herbert and the last added Shawn Richard were guided by Patrick Case, Chief Equity Officer, and Assistant Deputy Minster who provided administrative support from the Education’s Equity Secretariat. They were able to compile and analyze feedback that was obtained from diverse stakeholders and consisted of concerned community members, PDSB staff and other individuals. Throughout December and January, they conducted face-to-face interviews across the Peel area. The last day that they received submissions was on January 24^th, 2020. This interim report reflects this period.

There were several challenges that the reviewers encountered, especially from those of the African-Canadian community as is noted, “Some community members, in particularly the black community, have expressed concerns about the process, suggesting that a more comprehensive deeply consultative and conciliatory approach will reveal the problematic dynamics with the PDSB.” The interim report unveiled troubling aspects of deeply entrenched communication barriers that prevent many communities from being able to gain access to the board personnel.

In addition, many of the lived experiences and stories that were shared to the reviewers were such that, “We have consistently heard painful accounts of traumatic experiences that speak to systematic and historical disparities between and across racial, ethnic and cultural groups with respect to access to programming, services, academic achievement, transitions to postsecondary education and the workforce, hiring and promotions as a well as discipline measures both in education and employment. The narratives shared with us signal a profound lack of relationship, demonstrated by stories of marginalization, discrimination, different behaviour and harassment.” This is truly troubling in light of the community the PDSB’s serves.

There is still much that the reviewers expect to do as they look to engage the South Asian community in further consultation sessions. This is to ensure that there is diverse community feedback from other concerned individuals. The reviewers anticipate, “Making recommendations that will directly identify barriers to students and staff progress and also contribute to establishing conditions for the PDSB to: create, strengthen and sustain meaningful, transparent processes for community participation.”  This is important to ensure that the affected communities are able to maintain: dialogue, contact and interaction so that their issues, concerns and challenges are not overlooked.

On January 27^th, 2020, The Minister of Education, Stephen Leece responded to the interim report, “I have met with Peel students to hear first-hand their lived experiences and to better understand the challenges they face. I have also met with the reviewers earlier this month to better understand their observations of systemic anti-black racism and lack of adherence to governance, leadership, and trustee conduct as well as human resources practices. I believe students and families deserve better. It is my hope that the final report will build momentum for the transformational change racialized families are seeking after a period of inaction.”

The minister is committed to ensuring that the PDSB becomes an inclusive, equitable and safe place for all students, staff, community members and other diverse stakeholders.