Chris Selley: Ontario admits Jews are unsafe in public schools, but fights them anyway
A court ruling in Ontario dismisses a lawsuit advocating for public funding of Jewish education due to safety concerns for Jewish students in public schools.
A recent court ruling in Ontario has upheld the argument that Jewish students are not safe in public schools, yet simultaneously dismissed the push for equitable funding for Jewish educational institutions. The group Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education has been fighting for public funding similar to what Catholic schools receive, arguing that families should not bear the additional financial burden to secure a safe educational environment for their children. The Ontario Court of Appeal deemed the case settled law, leaving little hope for change through the judicial system.
The current funding situation in Ontario allows only certain school boards (specifically public English, French, and Catholic boards) to receive government funding, effectively excluding Jewish and other minority religious educational institutions from the same support. This has profound implications for Jewish families who feel compelled to pay for private education in order to ensure their children's safety and align with their cultural values. The Grassroots group's ongoing legal challenges point to a growing urgency among concerned parents seeking more equitable education solutions.
As the legal battles continue, the response from the Ontario government remains critical, sparking debates about the values of inclusivity and safety within the public education system. The fight for affordable Jewish education is not solely about funding, but also about the recognition and respect for the Jewish community within the broader educational landscape. Without changes to the jurisdiction's policies, the call for equitable funding could remain unfulfilled, forcing Jewish families to reconsider their options amidst a climate where they feel increasingly unsafe in public schools.