Archive 1997-2016
When the Conservative government implemented the Safe Schools Act in 2001, the education minister’s message was one of restoring “respect and responsibility” in Ontario schools.
Ayan Karshe used to be the “violent one.” She’ll tell you that herself. But it’s hard to believe when you shake the gentle hand of the 16-year-old, as she makes her way out the front doors of Ridgemont High School in Ottawa’s south end.
Milka Gebrekiduce is a thoughtful little girl. The Grade 2 student wears a brilliant pink sweater and twirls one of her many braids around her finger. Her brown eyes grow a bit more serious as she recalls a painful memory: she hurt her tooth last year after being knocked down by an older boy running across the playground.
Ontario is the only province in Canada that has a zero-tolerance school policy, or province-wide criteria for suspensions and expulsions. Here is a brief look at what other provinces are doing with regard to school safety.