Black parents and community members have long raised the alarm on anti-Black racism in Ontario schools. The COVID-19 pandemic not only exposed but worsened the educational barriers racialized and low-income students face.
School boards across the province must address the racial and class differences in learning among students as a result of the pandemic.
During COVID-19 lockdowns, children from many racialized and low-income families lacked access to high-speed internet and required technology to engage in online learning. As a result, these technological gaps decreased students’ academic performance.
Physical distancing has also increased anxiety and depression among racialized students.
Schools must revamp their policies and curriculum to reflect these disadvantages as well as increase academic support for students who belong to minority groups. Educators should create programs aimed at helping students get back on track. Access to mental health resources especially geared towards racialized students must be increased.
School boards must dismantle systemic barriers by redesigning programs such as streaming, which push racialized students onto applied courses, because studies show students in academic courses show better results.
In order to see the success of racialized students, schools need to actually provide them the tools to succeed in these already trying times.
Featured image from file.
