Editor:
Re: ‘Social injustice’ as student indoctrination, Oct. 15 column.
Columnist Tom Fletcher has seen a lot in his long career as a journalist in B.C.
He probably remembers how the BCTF and other unions fought for pay equity for women. He might even remember the protests that greeted B.C. teachers at their annual general meeting in the 1990s when we voted to support Gay Straight Alliances and safe schools for all kids. He also knows about the work we have done to promote aboriginal education enhancement agreements, employment equity for aboriginal teachers and various anti-racism programs.
Every single one of those things falls under what we call “social justice.” But somehow, Fletcher found an odd, outdated, angry way to turn the work teachers do to promote tolerance, fairness and personal responsibility into a dirty word.
No, Mr. Fletcher, teachers do not “indoctrinate” students. In our classrooms, we work hard to educate our students in a way that lets them explore the world around them, ask questions, and come to their own conclusions.
Jim Iker, BC Teachers’ Federation