Racial Formations in the Education System in Canada

Introduction

The face of the Canadian school has evolved significantly during the past few decades. The 1996 Statistics Canada Census showed that 3.2 million visible minority peoples represented 11.2 per cent of the Canadian population (statistics Canada, 2013). More than 1.1 million people of indigenous origin are excluded. There are many and growing children of ethnocultural and ethnic minorities and indigenous ancestry and culture. As parents, educators, school administrators, community members and taxpayers, we all recognize the essential role of education as a catalyst for society’s knowledge, socialization and acceptance. The nation’s collective position and ability to adjust, communicate, connect, compete with, and flourish in today’s global economy depend on the instruments that is provided during the early years of school, like their views of themselves and others as well as our beliefs and behaviors.

It is essential to acknowledge the long history of racism in our society, especially in our schools. The colonial treatment of Aboriginal peoples is the most flagrant expression of racism in the Canadian education system. In the late 1800s to the 1970s, the construction of Aboriginal schools in the nation sought to segregate and assimilate thousands of indigenous children into civilized Christians’ favored way of life (Wilk et al., 2017). Several victims have been subjected to sexual and physical abuse and trauma-related to marginalization, dehumanization and acculturation. Some Canadian schools seem to have forgotten about this strange past. This problem does not seem to be addressed in the school curriculum as often as it should be to raise awareness and educate pupils about diversity. In the early twentieth century, short school terms, insufficient financing, and racism harmed education in Alabama (US). For example, in the mid-1920s, white schools received $13.1 million, but black schools received just $1.4 million. White male instructors received an average yearly income of $863, while white female teachers earned $422, while men teachers in Africa earned just $480, and female teachers in Africa earned only $140 (Wilk et al., 2017). This is not only a question of worldly ideas. It shows, however, how many political power positions were prejudiced against the black people and believed they were less likely to succeed. In reality, however, financial limitations were the major obstacle to the progress of education. Although it is normal for people to forget their history, they must also learn from their mistakes and educate others about bias. Many color teachers and students have experienced prejudice and discrimination at the hands of schools and the government.