Elementary school field trips have never been so controversial.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is facing backlash after a recent incident in which an educational field trip to Grassy Narrows River Run shifted gears, turning into a pro-Palestine protest. When it was Premier Doug Ford’s turn to address the aftermath, he missed the mark by blaming the teachers.
On Sept. 18, students and teachers from a combined 15 TDSB schools took a trip downtown to observe speakers from the Grassy Narrows community addressing the decades-long mercury contamination problem in their local population and reserves.
In 2023, the Ontario government implemented mandatory Indigenous education in the curriculum for students from Grades one to seven. With a focus on teaching the history of residential schools and reconciliation, this change presented as a relevant opportunity for education.
Though the intention was for students to attend a community event to witness vital efforts for Indigenous rights, the event quickly shifted tones as it filled with pro-Palestine chants concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.
When students’ safety is at risk during a school-sanctioned activity, there’s no doubt teachers play a hand in being responsible. But this doesn’t mean they’re the problem.
With his blinders on, Doug Ford simply put two and two together, arriving at the simplistic conclusion that teachers are the villain. This pattern of thinking will only hinder attempts to rectify any negative backlash from parents.
It’s impossible to teach things in a vacuum—politics and crises from the real world will inevitably reach the classroom, despite our greatest efforts to shelter kids from them. What’s important is we address those inevitabilities in an educated way, instead of shutting them down.
As primary educators and figures of authority, teachers do have power in fostering how students think about the world. There have been cases of when personal political values become entangled with education, but they shouldn’t be overshadowed.
As an influential voice, Doug Ford isn’t exempt from the impact of his own words. By telling teachers to “stick with your knitting,” and “stick with teaching” content like spelling and arithmetic because they’re what kids need, his patronizing comments demonstrate how little he thinks of teachers.
There are also better ways to express urgent concern for the safety of students, ones that don’t involve accusing their teachers of indoctrinating them. Parents have a right to be upset with the school system for exposing their kids to danger, but using teachers as an easy scapegoat for larger political issues at hand will not inspire ability.
Until Doug Ford learns to choose his words carefully, he’s the one putting the wrong ideas out there.
—Journal Editorial Board
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