News Release
1/30/2018
Aurora, ON – More than 160 elementary and secondary school vice-principals in the Board received human rights training this month.
The mandatory training was designed to increase their understanding of:
- The human rights system and legislative context, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code, provincial law including the Education Act, and Board policy
- Social identity distinctions, including race, religion, ethnic group, first language, sexual orientation, gender identity, abilities, income level and class, and appearance
- How to identify human rights concerns and violations
- Measures to enhance equity and prevent discrimination and harassment
- Best practices to address human rights concerns
- The Board’s Human Rights Commissioner’s Office structure, process and best practices
More than 475 principals, vice-principals and managers have received human rights training in the past three months.
“Everyone in our system has a role to play in ensuring human rights are respected and embedded within our working and learning culture. Providing training will help to ensure that all our staff have a good understanding of Ontario’s human rights system and what they can do in their respective roles to protect and promote human rights” said Anthony Anirud, Human Rights Commissioner.
In August, the Board appointed Human Rights Commissioner Anthony Anirud. The Human Rights Commissioner’s Office is responsible for human rights compliance, processes and procedures to receive and respond to complaints of harassment and discrimination reported by students, families, staff and community members. The Board has also appointed a Principal, Human Rights to support schools in creating learning environments that promote and protect human rights.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 124,000 students in 177 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
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