Manitoba School Division reinstating singing of God Save the King.
A retired teacher in the Mountain View School Division in Manitoba says he’s “disgusted” after learning that the song, God Save the King, is being reinstated in its schools.
Cam Bennet of Dauphin, taught school for 33 years and just learned of a directive sent out to school administrators on Thursday. He says the practice hasn’t been in place in decades.
“It would appear that this act, from 1988, this regulation, is now going to be enforced by the Mountain View school division, even though it hasn’t been enforced for 25 or 30 years,” Bennet told APTN News.
“It’s an antiquated act that needs to be repealed. And we need to move on with actually teaching kids, instead of teaching them old songs.”
Bennet included the notice that went out to schools, which was included in one school’s morning public address.
It reads, in part, “All schools in MVSD are aligning current opening exercises to follow outlined expectations of the Public Schools Act (PSA) and the Education Administration Act around Schools Patriotic Observances.”
The notice goes on to say that all students would be invited to stand in a “respectful manner” but would not be forced to do so.
The provision falls under Manitoba’s Education Administration Act under the Schools Patriotic Observances Regulation which has been in place since Nov. 7, 1988.
The provision states in part, “At the close of school on each day on which the school is in regular operation for instruction, or at the close of any opening exercises that the school may conduct, the pupils shall sing the first verse of “God Save the King.”
APTN reached out to Mountain View School Division’s chair, Jason Gryba, who sent an emailed statement.
“This longstanding regulation had not been consistently followed across Manitoba schools in recent years, but as it remains intact and has not been repealed, it is the duty of the Mountain View School Division to ensure compliance.”
Gryba’s statement goes on to say the adjustment reflects the school division’s commitment to “lawful and consistent governance.”
“Good governance is about adhering to laws and regulations that are in place, regardless of how often they may have been previously observed. While some legislation may become less prominent over time, it remains our responsibility to uphold it as long as it is valid,” the statement said.
The statement didn’t provide an explanation on why the song was being re-introduced.
But Bennet said it flies in the face of more recent reconciliation efforts with First Nations in the region and is part of the “anti-woke” backlash seen in recent years.
It’s Bennet’s voice you hear in his old school, reading a land acknowledgement that was added to the morning opening protocols. Land acknowledgements became more commonplace after the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report as a show of respect for First Nations people. The report found that the residential school system that arose from colonial policies had amounted to cultural genocide.
Residential schools were ‘good’ a trustee said
This is not the first time the division has been the subject of controversy over racism in recent years.
A trustee came under fire last year for comments he made during a division board meeting. Paul Coffey made a presentation on racism where he said residential schools were “good” and said he would call First Nations people Indians in his report.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs called for Coffey’s dismissal in the wake of the comments. The late Grand Chief, Cathy Merrick said in a news release that “Paul Coffey’s remarks demonstrate a deep ignorance that is counterproductive to the goals of reconciliation.”
Coffey remains on the board of trustees.
The late minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Nello Altomare, said at the time the government was going to initiate a policy review with regards to the division. APTN has reached out to the ministry to find out the status of that review.
Bennet said issues like reinstating the policy may deter potential teaching candidates from applying for work in the division.
“If I’m a new teacher and I’m looking for a job and I pull up Mountain View (in an internet search) and see all these reports, it would certainly give me pause,” Bennet said.
Bennet also shared his thoughts on how he feels the board’s decision will reflect on the community.
“I am disgusted. I am disappointed. I am saddened for my community and the reputation that we have earned–had thrust upon (us) the last couple of years here,” Bennet said.
“Progress will happen whether people like it or not and I just wish we could go on and do away with these petty grievances and get on with teaching students.”
