Hat tip: Abu Sahara
“Black-focused schools have been a lightning rod issue both inside and outside Ontario’s black community since they were first proposed in 1995 by the province’s Royal Commission on Learning as a way to address lower graduation rates among black students.
“Two years ago a call for black-focused schools in Toronto caused an uproar between those who warned they smack of segregation and those who believe that black students who study more black authors, scientists and thinkers; have more black teachers as role models; and attend schools that set clear, high expectations of black students can fight the alienation some black teens say leads them to drop out of mainstream schools.
“For us, it’s important to try something else,” said Harrow. “Many parents from the Islands or from Africa, they’ve actually gone through an Africentric way of teaching” back home which includes using mentors from the community.
“It’s building up students’ self-esteem by showing them that there are other black people in the neighbourhood who are successful, who are doing well and who will care for them in a supportive manner.”
“Harrow said the Toronto District School Board is “very supportive and interested in working toward having a school up and running in September,” and that possible locations are being scouted.
