March 1997
TEACHERS, TOO, COULD BE MORE TOLERANT
By HUBERT BEYER
VICTORIA – I suggest that the Surrey Teachers Association develop an anti-school- trustee-bashing course. The association’s president, Peter Ellis, and probably its members, as well, could benefit immensely from such a program.
Ellis is hot to trod in his support of a proposed program to combat homophobia in our schools. The program, yet to be developed, is to introduce students to the concept of respect for fellow students who are gay.
It so happens that Surrey school board chairman Robert Pickering doesn’t want any part of the program. And if he has anything to do with it, there’ll be no anti-gay-bashing course taught at Surrey schools.
Enter Ellis, whose admirable tolerance for gays isn’t exactly matched by an equal dose of tolerance for a school trustee whose opinions differ from his.
"Trustee Pickering has to ensure the safety of every student, not just the ones who agree with him," says Ellis. "If he’s not prepared to ensure the safety of everyone, he should resign."
Hold it a minute. Isn’t Pickering the chairman of the school board? Isn’t the school board elected to determine what kids are taught, aside from the mandatory curriculum? And isn’t Pickering entitled to his own opinion?
If anyone is intolerant here, it’s Ellis and the Surrey Teachers Association, which even more laughably accuses Pickering of prejudging the anti-homophobia program. Fact is the program hasn’t been developed yet, but is warmly embraced by Ellis and his association. Who’s prejudging what?
The program to fight homophobia in B.C. schools is being touted by Education Minister Paul Ramsey as the answer to gay bashing among students. And like the good NDP friends they are, the teachers fall in line without questioning the validity of such a program.
"Students, regardless of their gender, regardless of their race, regardless of their ethnicity, regardless of their sexual orientation, have the right to study in an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment," Ramsey told cheering teachers at their recent convention.
I wonder why he didn’t add a remark or two about the sanctity of motherhood and free speech. Of course, students have the rights he referred to. Of course, gay-bashing is abhorrent and unacceptable, not only in schools but everywhere.
The question is whether or not we need to add a special program to the school curriculum to combat homophobia.
Perhaps I’m wrong, but I am under the impression that part of our education system has always been to teach kids respect for their fellow students and fellow citizens. Every self-respecting teacher I know tries very hard to get that message across to students.
If teaching respect for others in general hasn’t done the trick, there’s no assurance that a special program will work.
Pickering says he fears that an anti-homophobia course couldn’t help but promote homosexuality. "How anyone can deny that this program will promote homosexuality escapes me," he says.
I have no idea whether or not he’s right or wrong. Nor, I suspect does he. Nor do the proponents of the course. Either side may be off the wall.
On the other hand, Pickering’s reservations deserve at least consideration, not the hostile and intolerant reaction they got from the teachers.
It seems to me that before we throw some half-baked solution at a problem, we should examine how we can strengthen the existing system to promote greater tolerance towards all.