QuoteThe Toronto District School Board has gotten a lot of flak this week for its decision to allow weekly Islamic prayer sessions in one of its school's cafeterias. While supporters and critics have been relentlessly debating the existential question of prayer in public schools, one group caught in the middle has garnered only a fraction of the attention. I'm referring to the female students who participate in Friday prayers at Valley Park Middle School, relegated to the back on the cafeteria and not permitted to participate when menstruating. Indeed, the TDSB itself has mostly skirted (no pun intended) the issue of gender segregation during prayers at Valley Park, absolving itself of responsibility by stating, "We do not have the authority to tell faith groups how to pray."

Quote from: "iron horse jockey"

QuoteThe Toronto District School Board has gotten a lot of flak this week for its decision to allow weekly Islamic prayer sessions in one of its school's cafeterias. While supporters and critics have been relentlessly debating the existential question of prayer in public schools, one group caught in the middle has garnered only a fraction of the attention. I'm referring to the female students who participate in Friday prayers at Valley Park Middle School, relegated to the back on the cafeteria and not permitted to participate when menstruating. Indeed, the TDSB itself has mostly skirted (no pun intended) the issue of gender segregation during prayers at Valley Park, absolving itself of responsibility by stating, "We do not have the authority to tell faith groups how to pray."

http://www.macleans.ca/education/uniandcollege/girls-should-not-be-segregated-on-public-school-property/">http://www.macleans.ca/education/uniand ... -property/">http://www.macleans.ca/education/uniandcollege/girls-should-not-be-segregated-on-public-school-property/



An obscene accomodation and taxpayers have little say in the matter.

Quote from: "Fashionista"I have no doubt taxpayers can oppose things like this, but at the end of the day, the school board will do what it wants to do.



This is one of the reasons why my children attend private school.

Quote from: "RW"

Quote from: "Fashionista"I have no doubt taxpayers can oppose things like this, but at the end of the day, the school board will do what it wants to do.



This is one of the reasons why my children attend private school.

I suppose they can do what they want but trustees are elected and do answer to the public. I know the public can have a great deal of influence on districts.

Quote from: "seoulbro"

Quote from: "RW"

Quote from: "Fashionista"I have no doubt taxpayers can oppose things like this, but at the end of the day, the school board will do what it wants to do.



This is one of the reasons why my children attend private school.

I suppose they can do what they want but trustees are elected and do answer to the public. I know the public can have a great deal of influence on districts.

I live close to the area. There was a stink by the public about this.

Quote from: "RW"

Quote from: "seoulbro"

Quote from: "RW"

Quote from: "Fashionista"I have no doubt taxpayers can oppose things like this, but at the end of the day, the school board will do what it wants to do.



This is one of the reasons why my children attend private school.

I suppose they can do what they want but trustees are elected and do answer to the public. I know the public can have a great deal of influence on districts.

I live close to the area. There was a stink by the public about this.

And what came of it?

Quote from: "RW"This case presents an interesting dilemma - religious freedom vs gender equality.  Both are protected under human rights so which one wins out when they are at odds?

Quote from: "iron horse jockey"

Quote from: "RW"This case presents an interesting dilemma - religious freedom vs gender equality.  Both are protected under human rights so which one wins out when they are at odds?

Islam guaranteed, even though it's an ideology like communism or fascism and not a religion.

Quote from: "RW"

Quote from: "iron horse jockey"

Quote from: "RW"This case presents an interesting dilemma - religious freedom vs gender equality.  Both are protected under human rights so which one wins out when they are at odds?

Islam guaranteed, even though it's an ideology like communism or fascism and not a religion.

Regardless of your opinion of Islam, it's considered a religion in Canada.

Quote from: "iron horse jockey"

Quote from: "RW"

Quote from: "iron horse jockey"

Quote from: "RW"This case presents an interesting dilemma - religious freedom vs gender equality.  Both are protected under human rights so which one wins out when they are at odds?

Islam guaranteed, even though it's an ideology like communism or fascism and not a religion.

Regardless of your opinion of Islam, it's considered a religion in Canada.

And that is why the West cannot deal with Islam appropriately.

Quote from: "Fashionista"I would have no problem at all with the prayer meeting rules if it was a private Muslim school.