Pilot program launch by Peel District School Board and University of Toronto to support the achievement of Black, African and Afro-Caribbean students

BY PAUL JUNOR

In many ways Peel District School Board, which has been under public scrutiny and the eyes of the Ministry of Education, has been attempting to think of creative ways to deal with systemic racism, especially anti-Black racism. The review of the board on February 28^th, 2020, resulted in specific recommendations that focused on: anti-Black racism, systemic discrimination, board leadership, and governance issues.

Currently, the board is in compliance with the 27 binding directions that the Ministry of Education issued on March 13^th, 2020. At the June 2022 Board of Trustees meeting, the board approved an Anti-racism Policy and Black Student Success Strategy (BSSS), which can be seen at its website: https://www.peelsschools.org. The Anti-racism policy is intended to continue to create an education system that better reflects and serves an increasingly diverse student population while disrupting all forms of systemic racial discrimination. The BSSS “acknowledge, accept and act on the PDSB’s moral and legal responsibility to create and sustain environments free from racism, racial discrimination, harassment and microaggressions.

On Sunday, September 4^th, 2022, a press release from the PDSB revealed that the board will be partnering with the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) to launch a pilot program geared to students in Grade 11/12. Specifically, it will be geared to students who self-identify as Black, African, and Afro-Caribbean to direct them into the Support, Engage, Experience (SEE@UTM) program. The two high schools are Meadowvale Secondary school and Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School.

Rashmi Swarup, Director of Education for the PDSB states in the press release, “We are so excited about the potential this has to elevate Black students, allowing them to explore different educational pathways and discover new skills and opportunities. It shows how a commitment to mentorship and strong collaboration can help students flourish. University of Mississauga has been an incredible partner throughout as we worked together to co-create a positive, inclusive and nurturing environment for Peel students.”

Jessica Silver, Director, Student Engagement of UTM states in the press release, “The UTM is committed to ensuring that students from communities who are typically underrepresented in universities see and experience UTM as a place where they can thrive. This partnership with the Peel District School Board will welcome 21 students who self-identify as Black, African and Afro-Caribbean as both PDSB and UTM students

this fall. We will build their confidence in their abilities to pursue post-secondary education and, through mentorship with upper-year UTM students, we will demystify the university student experience, so they know they belong here. The PDSB students will also engage in an on-campus co-op experience with over 20 UTM academic, student service and administrative departments, giving them a behind the scenes glimpse into how a university operates and supports student success.”

Students who participate in the pilot program will be awarded two Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits and half of a university credit which can be used towards a bachelor’s degree at U of T, or any other post-secondary institution.

Dr Sheilza Ibrahim as well as Dr Wanja Gitari will be the instructors who will guide the students on topics that intersect Science and the Social Sciences. These topics will have applications in STEM fields and will help students who plan on pursuing careers in science, engineering and math through a real-life and problem-solving approach. In addition, the students will be exposed to experiential learning opportunities at UTM and regular peer-to-peer mentoring by senior UTM students while they are present on campus.