The Toronto Catholic District School Board has placed two high school teachers on leave following serious allegations of exchanging racist messages on a school social media platform. The teachers, identified as staff from James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School, reportedly sent messages that included a racist slur and an anti-Black meme via a student athletics Instagram account.
This situation came to light when a student who had access to the Instagram account captured screenshots of the inappropriate exchange and promptly alerted the school's principal. The advocacy group Parents of Black Children criticized the school officials for their delayed response to the incident, claiming that immediate action was not taken upon receiving the information.
In response to the allegations, the school board maintained that it acted swiftly by placing both teachers on administrative leave. The board stated that it provides support to students and staff who may have been affected by the incident. “Matters involving students, particularly allegations of racism and other forms of discrimination, are addressed and investigated immediately,” the school board articulated in a statement.
Despite the board's claims of prompt action, Parents of Black Children has called for the Ontario College of Teachers to conduct an investigation into the matter, insisting that both teachers should be removed from any teaching responsibilities. The advocacy group emphasized that the issue transcends merely offensive language, framing it as a matter of dignity, power, and the safety of students.
Additionally, the group expressed concern that students may fear academic repercussions if they decide to report similar incidents to school officials. To address this issue, Parents of Black Children is advocating for measures that would protect students from retaliation when they choose to speak out against discriminatory behavior.
The school board reassured the community that it has undertaken all necessary actions to address the incident, reinforcing its stance that racism and discrimination are entirely unacceptable and contradict the ethical standards expected of educators. The incident has raised significant concerns about the environment in which students learn and the conduct of those entrusted with their education.
