Catholic teacher rapped for telling pupils they can skip religion classes
Kate Hammer - EDUCATION REPORTER
The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Sep. 02 2014, 8:19 PM EDT
Last updated Wednesday, Sep. 03 2014, 7:28 AM EDT
An Ontario Catholic high school teacher was disciplined for informing his students they can’t be forced to study religion, underscoring the determination of Catholic school boards to get students to take religious studies.
The teacher, Paul Blake, had a disciplinary note attached to his file in May, after he told a group of Grade 12 students of a recent court case that affirmed their right to an exemption from religious courses and ceremonies.
A panel of Ontario Superior Court judges made that ruling in April. In the months since, Catholic school officials have been denying students requests for exemptions based on school boundaries and property tax statements. In multiple correspondences reviewed by The Globe and Mail this summer, Catholic school board officials from across the province argued students whose parents have declared themselves to be supporters of Catholic boards must participate in religious studies.
The Education Act states that any student qualified to be a resident pupil at a public secondary school cannot be required to take part in religious programs or courses. Public school boards say they accept all students regardless of faith or where they attended elementary school. But Kathy Burtnik, president of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association, said the group has received legal advice that Catholic students are not eligible for an exemption.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/catholic-board-pushes-against-ontario-court-ruling/article20317408/