World Sikh Organization Supports Inclusive Public Education

The World Sikh Organization Canada expresses support for the funding of faith-based schools that meet provincial standards.

Presently, 53 000 Ontario students are enrolled in faith-based schools but receive no support from their provincial government. At the same time however, 650 000 Catholic students are enrolled in Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic school system. The public funding of Catholic schools ensures that Catholic parents have the right to choose what kind of education their children will have. It is time that parents of other faiths are also given this right.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada believes that non-Catholic, faith-based schools in Ontario should be part of the public education system in Ontario. At the same time, faith-based schools must be required to meet provincial education standards, and accountability requirements. “This system will ensure that faith-based schools continue to provide high-quality education and allow their students to make a unique and important contribution to Canadian society, “ said Gian Singh Sandhu, the Senior Policy Advisor for the WSO.

WSO Canada President, Gurpreet Singh Bal said, “The funding of faith-based schools in Ontario is a question of fairness, and improving the quality of education. By bringing the 53,000 Ontario students who are currently enrolled in non-Catholic, faith based schools, into the public system, the government will ensure that all students in Ontario are receiving the same high standard of education. A more inclusive public education system is simply the right thing to do, to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow are provided with the best tools for success.”

True nourishment and raising children can be achieved through a combination of public and private education system. WSO believes that the Governments have a major role to play in this field and provide a fair and equitable education system in each jurisdiction. Existing education funding program in the Province of Ontario, Canada supports public funding of Catholic schools to ensure that Catholic parents have the right to choose what kind of education their children will have. It is time that parents of other faiths are also given this right.

For more information, please contact Jasbeer Singh, Media Relations, Tel. 780-457-3333, Cell. 780-235-6000, email: [email protected]

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Gian Singh Sandhu, Tel. 250-305-2440, email: [email protected]