Multi-faith groups want religion out of public schools
By Linda Nguyen, Postmedia News
September 12, 2011
Valley Park Middle School in eastern Toronto, where each Friday, students can attend afternoon
Islamic prayer in the cafeteria. Some feel relgion has no place in public schools.
Photograph by: Tyler Anderson, National Post
Photograph by: Tyler Anderson, National Post
TORONTO — With the Ontario election less than a month away, a number of multi-faith groups are calling on the provincial party leaders to take a public stance on religious teachings in secular schools.
"Everyone knows that it is a violation of the Education Act, which bars any religion in public schools," said Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC) founder Tarek Fatah on Monday. "But none of them (party leaders) has the courage to say that. They're sitting like cowards trying to please a fictitious block vote."
So far, Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty, Progressive Conservative Tim Hudak and NDP leader Andrea Horwath have stayed mum on whether they support public tax dollars funding religious studies in the public school system. Earlier this year, Premier McGuinty said that the issue of religious accommodation is up to the school board to decide, and should align with the Ontario Human Rights Code which promotes freedom to practise religion.
But Fatah says the politicians are passing the buck, afraid that they will lose the Muslim vote if they speak out against the prayer service at Valley Park Middle School in east Toronto. The public school has been permitting an afternoon Islamic prayer service in its cafeteria for its students for the past year.
Full Story: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Multi+faith+groups+want+religion+public+schools/5390381/story.html
