Education Department Hosts Elementary Racial Equity Symposia

Advancing positive race relations, cross cultural understanding and respect for diversity in schools will be the focus of four elementary school symposia being held this week across the province.

The first Racial Equity Elementary Symposium gets underway today, May 16, at Wagmatcook Cultural Centre. Symposia are also scheduled for Wolfville on May 17, White Point on May 18, and Cole Harbour on May 19.

The one-day sessions will give teachers, board members, board race relations, cross cultural understanding and human rights teams, and others an opportunity to discuss and share ideas on establishing diverse, inclusive, and respectful learning environments. The conferences will also examine the provision of instructional practices that respect and value all learners.

"We know there is a lot of good work being done in schools to support equitable practices. We are also aware that more needs to be done," said Dennis Cochrane, deputy minister of Education. "These professional development sessions should provide educators and boards with helpful ideas on integrating the components of the Racial Equity Policy into school life."

Nova Scotia's Racial Equity Policy promotes respect, sensitivity and equity in seven key areas, including curriculum, the school environment, assessment, instructional practices, counselling, second language learning and community relations.

The province has in-serviced more than 800 educators from 335 elementary schools from across the province. School-based in-servicing has been delivered to junior high and middle schools. High schools will receive in-servicing this fall.

Along with direct service professional development, boards and schools are being supported in the development and refining of action plans and related policies.

"We've been asking ourselves all along if we are meeting the needs of all learners and doing the best job we can in respecting and valuing the diversity in our schools,' said Sylvia Parris, the Department of Education's multicultural education consultant "And the response is yes -- we're doing a good job, but we need to continue to work to get to our best."

Keynote speakers at the conferences include, Candy Palmater, the department's Mi'kmaw liaison officer; Nova Scotia Human Rights Commissioner Mayann Francis, and Sherry Hassanali, an expert in multicultural education at Mount Saint Vincent University.