Education Minister Rachna Singh (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

ANTI-RACISM PLAN

B.C. launches province-wide anti-racism action plan in Kamloops

Jan 23, 2023 | 4:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — B.C.’s new Education Minister was in Kamloops Monday (Jan. 23) to unveil the province’s new K-12 anti-racism action plan. Minister Rachna Singh made the announcement in front of the School District 73 Student Equity Council at the Henry Grube Education Centre.

Singh stated that the aim of the new plan is to empower students and educators to identify and take action against racism and discrimination in British Columbia schools. The action plan was developed through discussions over three years with students, rights-holders and Indigenous partners, among others.

“One of the things that came up over and over again is that whenever people are telling their stories, that there is not enough resources within the school community to address those issues,” said Singh. “Not many people believe what they are saying. That is why this K-12 action plan, I think is extremely important. Providing those resources, creating that space for people to come out and talk about these issues where they feel comfortable.”

All school districts and independent schools are required to have codes of conduct and policies to address racism and discrimination. In the Kamloops-Thompson School District more than 100 students of diverse backgrounds are working with district staff to share their experiences and ideas to help develop a district-wide anti-racism plan.

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“In our district’s strategic plan we do want to understand what are our basic experiences of racism through the lens of the students. And then from that build an assessment tool. What is that assessment tool? We just don’t know. Starting today is the beginning of identify and defining a shared understanding of the lived experience. And using it to develop professional learning, and measurement tools for our district,” added Superintendent Rhonda Nixon.