Education Minister Paul Calandra has ordered all school boards to keep graduation ceremonies “apolitical,” warning he will not hesitate to take action if the events aren’t “strictly student-centred … inclusive and respectful.”
While critics accused the minister of being heavy-handed, he said in his Friday letter to all boards and staff that “these ceremonies are expected to remain focused solely on recognizing student achievement. They are not an appropriate forum for organizers or administrators to express political views or promote personal or institutional positions, or engage in divisive or contentious issues of any kind.”
He goes on to say that “the failure of school boards to meet these expectations poses a real risk to student well-being … Under no circumstances should educators be placed in positions that create conflict between students and their families. Graduation ceremonies must remain free from disruption, distraction or division, and are expected to reflect the significance of students’ accomplishments.”
His directive was in part prompted by a recent memo from the Hamilton-Wentworth public board outlining “commencement guiding principles” that makes little mention of the purpose of such ceremonies — to celebrate graduates and their accomplishments — and instead includes directives that go beyond what is necessary for such an occasion, according to a ministry source not authorized to speak publicly.
The Hamilton board’s memo focuses on ensuring an “anti-oppressive/anti-racist/anti-colonial lens” in planning ceremonies, while also detailing land acknowledgment expectations “as citizens of Turtle Island,” asking schools to “consider how commencement events can show our role as treaty partners.” It also notes that “not all learners/guests in attendance may choose to stand” for the national anthem, while also covering other issues such as scheduling and venues.
Hamilton-Wentworth’s director of education, Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini, said “we can confirm that issuing an annual commencement memo to principals and vice-principals reflects past practice and is intended to support schools in planning ceremonies that are welcoming, inclusive and focused on student well-being and achievement.”
The board, she added, “will adhere to the directions outlined” by Calandra.
New Democrat MPP Chandra Pasma, her party’s education critic, called Calandra’s letter “a political stunt” and said he needed to “spell out exactly what (he’s) looking for.”
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said “there are grave challenges in education, but who says what at graduation ceremonies is not one of them.”
Unions also took issue with Calandra’s tone, with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario saying it is another example of “this government’s growing pattern of overreach and its willingness to undermine our professional judgment.”
Martha Hradowy, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, called the message “demoralizing,” and said educators put in a lot of “time, care and effort … into making milestones like graduation ceremonies meaningful for students and families.”
Meanwhile, the Toronto District School Board has updated its rules, deciding that while politicians are allowed to attend graduations, they are not allowed to be speakers at such events.
Calandra’s letter was shared with staff at all Ontario boards, where he also reminded them of using social media responsibly. That comes in light of a staff member at the Huron-Superior Catholic board posting a video implying U.S. President Donald Trump should be assassinated.
“The use of social media to promote violence is unacceptable,” he wrote. “Similarly, any form of racist commentary, stereotyping or the use of inappropriate or derogatory language is unacceptable. Individuals employed within publicly funded education systems are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the trust placed in them.”
Sandra Turco, chair of the Huron-Superior board, said a reminder was distributed to all staff there pertaining to the social media policy, and that disciplinary action for the staff member is being dealt with internally.
Meanwhile, the Hamilton school board graduation memo also says it will not distribute lawn signs for its graduates — a practice that gained popularity during the pandemic — for environmental and budgetary reasons, and that it was also reviewing the “role of awards in commencements.”
With files from Kate McCullough of The Hamilton Spectator
