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[Brampton, November 28, 2024] – The Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators (ONABSE) is proud to announce the release of its groundbreaking report, Equity in Ontario Education: Anti-Black Racism Strategy Review beyond the Greater Toronto Area prepared by ONABSE Outreach Coordinator, Ella Nugent and President Deborah Buchanan-Walford. This critical report, launching on November 28, 2024, is the culmination of extensive interviews conducted with school boards across Ontario to evaluate their strategies for addressing and dismantling anti-Black racism within the education system.
This report sheds light on the progress, challenges, and gaps that exist in implementing meaningful, systemic change to combat anti-Black racism. Through candid discussions with educators, administrators, and policymakers, ONABSE has gained a deeper understanding of the presence and impact of anti-racist work in Ontario's school boards, as well as the lived experiences of Black students, families, and staff within the province’s public education system.
Key Findings:
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Variability in Commitment: While some boards have made strides in addressing anti-Black racism through equity policies and initiatives, this has been inconsistent across the province.
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Resource Allocation: A lack of sustained resources has emerged as a critical barrier to implementing effective anti-racist strategies.
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Gaps in Training: Culturally responsive and anti-racist professional development remains inconsistent, leaving many educators ill-equipped to address systemic racism in their classrooms.
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Need for Accountability: There is a pressing need for robust accountability frameworks to ensure that anti-Black racism strategies are not only implemented but also monitored for effectiveness.
ONABSE President Deborah Buchanan-Walford emphasizes the urgency of these findings:
"This report outlines the fact that while we have made significant strides due to community advocacy, more sustainable measures need to be put in place. School boards who have engaged authentically must be commended on the changes implemented thus far. However, we need comprehensive, sustained efforts to transform policies, practices, and pedagogies at all levels across the entire province and this must be led by the Ministry of Education. Ontario’s Black students, families, and educators deserve nothing less."
Launch Event Details:
The report will be officially launched during a virtual event on November 28, 2024, at 6:00 PM EST in partnership with the Urban Alliance on Race Relations’ Equity in Education Project. The event will feature a presentation of the report’s findings and recommendations, a panel discussion with key stakeholders, and an interactive Q&A session.
ONABSE invites educators, policymakers, community leaders, allies, and members of the public to join the conversation and commit to collective action in creating an inclusive, equitable education system that empowers Black students, their families and Black educators to thrive.
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