The Toronto District School Board has announced that they will review their field trip procedures after parents were lied to by teachers about a field trip, which was actually a protest.
Speaking on Toronto Today hosted by Greg Brady, a parent said that she was told her kid would be an “observer” at the Grassy Narrows rally, so she decided to tag along.
What she learned was students were not just observers, but were actually made to join what was a full blown protest, and one that had a pro-Palestinian crowd.
“There were people in masks and others wearing keffiyehs, holding signs about the Israel-Gaza war,” the mother told Brady. “About a quarter of the crowd was wearing keffiyehs,” she added.
In an email, the TDSB told The Counter Signal they are reviewing their field trip procedures and apologized for harm that may have been caused to students.
Asked if anyone would be fired for deceiving parents, the TDSB declined to affirm or deny anything was being done other than reviewing their procedures.
“At this time, we are supporting impacted students and their families,” they said, further stating, “in general, students should not be participating in organized protests as part of a field trip, and this clarification will be shared with the system.”
Speaking to Brady, Independent federal MP Kevin Vuong slammed the TDSB for the incident.
“These students had no choice. The teachers lied to their parents for them for them to get involved in political activism,” he said.
Last year, a former TDSB principal took his own life amid a lawsuit with his school board, after he was allegedly shamed and berated during a hostile diversity training session.
Parents can file a complaint with the Ontario College of Teachers for putting students in a dangerous situation and not communicating honestly with parents. This is misconduct on the part of activist teachers and should be reported to the College.