Francophone Students. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Toronto/CMEDIA: Committed to strengthening French-language education in the province, the Ontario government is providing $500,000 through its Priorities and Partnerships Funding (PPF) COVID-19 Equity Supports to provide Indigenous, equity, human rights, and anti-racism resources to Francophone students, as well as targeted supports to Francophone parent organizations.
“Ontario’s investments will help ensure Francophone students learn about their history and culture…Francophone parents will also have new tools to support their children, as Ontario moves forward with our learning recovery plan — including expanded tutoring and mental health supports,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education.
This equity funding announcement coincides with world-marking International Francophonie Week, a celebration of the French language and Francophone culture. As part of its PPF, the Ontario government is providing:
- $200,000 facilitated through Centre de leadership et d’évaluation (CLE) to support Francophone Indigenous resources for students from Grades 4 to 12 including videos exploring Indigenous histories and perspectives, particularly on Treaty recognition, connection to the Land, identities and reconciliation.
- $200,000 to develop a self-paced learning module to support students’ and school staff’s understanding of current equity, human rights and anti-racism issues, initiatives and recommendations through videos geared toward educators of intermediate- and secondary-level students.
- $50,000 to Parents partenaires en éducation provides intensified and targeted supports to parents, as learning recovery strategies are implemented.
- $50,000 to Association francophone pour l’éducation artistique en Ontario (AFÉAO) through CLE to produce a pedagogical resource focused on games, physical activities and arts from around the world to celebrate the richness of various cultures and communities. This resource will be accessible in the virtual learning environment (VLE) of the French-language school boards.
“Francophone education is critically important to Ontario’s long-term prosperity… Ontario is proud to partner with respected stakeholder groups and Francophone parent organizations to advance understanding of equity, human rights, and anti-racism issues, especially now during International Francophonie Week.” said Sam Oosterhoff, the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education. “
Various initiatives to promote equity and a positive school climate, support healthy relationships, build empathy, and address bullying and cyberbullying would be supported by the Priorities and Partnerships Funding COVID-19 Equity Supports fund.
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