Looney for Learning
Posted by Rita Gayle
Conditions in Aboriginal High Schools
Yasmin, Interact student from David Suzuki High School spoke about conditions in Aboriginal high schools. The majority of schools on Aboriginal reserves is underfunded and lack basic resources needed for teaching. These schools are usually very small and if adequate funding for school buildings is not available, the schools may only consist of a few portables. Often, the buildings used are old and are infested with mold which can cause many respiratory problems in children. Some Aboriginal reserves do not even have schools at all. Many children are forced to go off the reserves to attend school. As a result of these conditions, Aboriginal students often lose interest in their education. Nearly half of them drop out of high school.
Yasmin spoke of a school that the Interact students found in northern Ontario on the Aboriginal First Nations reserves and even though it is an elementary school. they believe that by adopting the school, they will be able to create more interest for the children, giving them a better foundation for development. Hopefully this will encourage them to pursue secondary education. The school they are hoping to adopt is Johnny Therriault Memorial School. The school has a student population of approx. 90 children from grade one to eight. The Interact group has contacted the school and they are very eager to participate in this endeavor and have sent a list of school supplies that they would like.
The Interact group at David Suzuki is hosting a “Looney for Learning” at their school and they are doing other activities as well to raise additional funds. All money will be used to purchase the school supplies for their adopted school. Yasmin thanked the Rotary club who has played a vital role in the success and growth of their group.