Educator Oscar Braithwaite remembered for his years of service to public education and community work

BY PAUL JUNOR

The news of the death of well-known educator Oscar Braithwaite came as a shock to many who knew him personally over the years. His daughter, Wendy Motion, announced the sad news on Wednesday, May 10^th, 2023. On her Facebook account she wrote, “We are sad to share that our father E. Oscar Braithwaite has passed on. Though we, and so many others, will miss him dearly, we are thankful for his life, love and all of his contributions both here and abroad. We celebrate him through good memories and recognition of his vision and his legacy. He is now with our ancestors and the Creator, and for that we are grateful.”

Oscar was born in Bridgetown, Barbados and moved to Canada to further his education.

He founded the Technical Education and Training International (TETIN), which according to the website: https://www.tetin.net/, “Promotes Social, Industrial & Economic Development Through Appropriate Education and Training.”

Oscar described himself as, “A Pan-Africanist who wants to close the wide divide between Continental and Diaspora Africans.” He studied: Sociology of Education, History & Mathematics at the University of Toronto and received his Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts, as well as Post Graduate Studies in Education Theory. He subsequently obtained a Certificate in Architectural Technology from Ryerson Polytechnic University (now known as Toronto Metropolitan University) as well as completing the Ontario Secondary School Principals’ Qualifications course.

Oscar started his teaching career with the Toronto Board of Education in September 1968, and worked there until August 1997 where he became the former head of the Department of Technology. He worked for two years at the Botswana Polytechnic in Botswana, Africa from March 1982 to April 1984 as well as at the Technical-Vocational Education Consultant at Gweru Technical College from August 1987 to December 1988.

In addition, after his retirement, he worked as an education consultant at Swaziland Ministry of Education & Training from November 1997 to November 1998, and as Technical Education Consultant at Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic from June 2000 to July 2000.

He travelled extensively in Africa visiting thirteen countries as well as the Caribbean and Brazil where he conducted: workshops, consulted with educators, published writings and participated in conferences.

Oscar was well respected and honoured for his extensive and widespread community involvement. He served as a board member with the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Black Tradesmen, and Women of Ontario in the 1990s, and became Chair of the Board and member of the African Canadian Legal Clinic in 2007. He was a founding member of the Canadian Alliance of Black Educators (CABE) and subsequently served as its President.

It started with the Black Education Project. It was incorporated in1980 and was the brainchild of Oscar Braithwaite, and the late David Melville, both of the Greater Toronto Area. The civic agenda spearheaded by Braithwaite and Melville would draw others into action, and the organization CABE would enhance the future of unrecorded numbers of Blacks.

Especially important were educational remediation offered in the Saturday morning tutoring classes, advocacy with Boards of Education, and research which exposed systematically embedded issues impeding the life chances of Black learners in Ontario.

It was primarily due to the visionary and pioneering work of CABE and its collaboration with educational advocacy groups in: Nova Scotia, Quebec and the United States that there were major changes made to: programs, policies and procedures of school boards to increase the academic success and educational achievements of Black students. He also held the role of co-director within INVOTEC Education Ltd (UK).

Oscar is survived by his three children: Caroline, Wendy and Eddy; siblings: Irma, Gwen and Farley as well as eight grandchildren. Oscar’s home going and celebration of life services were held on May 20^th, 2023, at Cornerstone Baptist Church.