It is good to hear that Black History Learning is now mandatory in the province of Ontario however, as a Black citizen who has experienced the school system firsthand as a student and an educator, I wonder if history classes are enough to limit high rates of school detentions, suspensions, and dropouts for Black youths. In 2024, many Black students (and many students for that matter) look to the future in imagining who they can become. They would benefit from mandatory mentorship programs (more cooperative learning) that would intentionally and meaningfully connect them to Black/BIPOC Mentors who are employed/have business/are affiliated with various industries for them to gain an understanding of skills and talents required to financially support themselves in the future. Empowerment and historical knowledge paired well with hands-on knowledge and mentorship where Black students can better envision their futures might be ideal.
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