Hundreds sign petition calling for more immigrant teachers

Hundreds of people have signed a petition urging Edmonton'sfrancophone school board to hire more immigrant teachers.

The petition, signed by 500 people, says many families from Edmonton'sgrowing immigrant francophone community have enrolled their childrenin schools managed by the Greater North Central Francophone EducationSchool Board.

"Unfortunately with 20 years of existence, we see that the [board] hasput in little effort in ensuring its personnel reflect the diversityof its student population," the petition reads.

Parent Victor Moke-Ngala, who helped launch the petition with a groupof parents of African descent, says no teachers at his daughter'sschool, cole Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc, share her ethnic background. Hesays his daughter told him she would not feel comfortable with a blackteacher because she has never had one.

"So in her mind, it's like a teacher should only be a white person," he said.

"Diversity is among students but diversity is not among teachers. Iwould like to have my child be in a school where she can see teachersfrom her culture...So those teachers can be seen as role models forthem and also show them that opportunities are for everyone."

Some parents say a diverse staff is important for all students, notjust those of immigrant background, to prepare them for the real worldafter they graduate.

"The world will be very diverse and it is essential that they beexposed to that diversity, not only among fellow students but alsopersonnel," said Moke-Ngala.

Parent Jeanne Lehman says the teaching staff needs to better reflectCanada's multiculturalism. There are no teachers of African heritageteaching at her son's school, cole Joseph-Moreau, she says.

Education is not just about academics but also a place to promoteunity, inclusion and understanding, she said.

"For children to have teachers of diverse origin helps them to be goodcitizens."

Diverse staff for diverse population

According to the most recent statistics, the Edmonton region'sfrancophone population is nearly 24,000, increasingly made up ofimmigrants. In the last census report, immigrants made up 20 per centof the francophone community.

Last year alone, the city's centre for francophone newcomersregistered 600 people. Half way through 2014, it had already surpassedthat number. About 80 per cent are from sub-Saharan Africa, says Centre D'Accueilet D'tablissement director George Bahaya.

One academic points out that as part of colonial expansion white Europeans became regarded as the dominant settler group. As the newcomer populations grows, there is a reluctance to address issues of race because we are not willing to talk about it, says Jennifer Kelly, professor and chair at the University of Alberta's department of educational policy studies.

"We like to see ourselves as nice people and nice people don'trecognize that there may be elements of race involved in the ways inwhich we've organized our lives based on our past experiences," Kelly said.

She says it's important for all students to see newcomers inpositions of authority to counter widespread negativestereotypes in the media.

Kelly sees the changing demographics as an opportunity foradministrators in the entire Edmonton school system.

She urged school boards to "take up the challenge and see how we canform more inclusive schools...that would go alongside theremaking of Edmonton as a vibrant cultural city."

The Greater North Central Francophone Education School Board declinedCBC's requests for comment on the petition.

But the board has plans to form a committee on cultural integration this week.