National

B.C. school district investigates exam asking pupils to argue if Israel should exist

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Jun, 2024 12:07 PM

The school district in Burnaby, B.C., has launched an investigation into what it says was a harmful exam that asked students to make arguments about whether Jewish people deserve or need a homeland.

The question was posed by a teacher to Grade 6 and 7 students in an elementary social studies exam.

The district says in a statement that the question stated that "some believe that Jewish people deserve or need a homeland (Israel), while others believe that Israel should not exist."

District Supt. Karim Hachlaf says in the statement that regardless of the intention, the question is deeply concerning and could be trauma-inducing for students, especially Jewish children.

The district says the family of one of the students raised the concern by sending an email to the district with the exam question.

In BC’s schools, 12 year old kids are being asked to write about why “Israel should not exist”.

This is not a normal thing to teach 12 year olds…

This is radicalization and indoctrination happening under David Eby’s radical BC NDP. #bcpoli https://t.co/MEv5U7jq6T
— John Rustad (@JohnRustad4BC) June 2, 2024

In addition to the investigation, the district says it will reach out to families in the classroom and the Jewish community to determine what additional supports are needed, and it will work with administrators to reinforce use of appropriate learning resources within its schools.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Sikh community to be present at court hearings for late activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

The spokesman for the B-C Gurdwaras Council says members of the Sikh community will likely be at all court hearings for the four men accused of assassinating Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June. Moninder Singh with the council says he and others plan on showing up to the courthouse to support the activist’s family, and to show the Indian government that they won’t stay quiet in the face of violence.

Sikh community to be present at court hearings for late activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Trudeau: International Criminal Court push to prosecute Israel and Hamas 'unhelpful'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opted against taking a stance on a push from the International Criminal Court to prosecute the Israeli prime minister and Hamas leaders over the war in the Gaza Strip Tuesday. The court's chief prosecutor requested arrest warrants Monday for Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence minister and senior Hamas leaders.

Trudeau: International Criminal Court push to prosecute Israel and Hamas 'unhelpful'

London Drugs says it's unwilling to pay ransom demanded by hackers

Retailer London Drugs says it is "unwilling and unable" to pay a multimillion-dollar ransom to cybercriminals who claim to have stolen data in a hacking attack that recently shut down its stores for more than a week. The company says in a statement that the criminals could leak stolen corporate files containing employee information on the dark web, calling the situation "deeply distressing."

London Drugs says it's unwilling to pay ransom demanded by hackers

Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February

Interpol says more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles have been found each week across the globe since February. The international law enforcement agency says a total of more than 1,500 vehicles have been identified thanks to the RCMP's decision earlier this year to integrate Canada's database for stolen vehicles with Interpol's.

Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February

Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, 18% are boycotting Loblaw: poll

Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling. A new Leger survey found that almost 30 per cent of Canadians believe food inflation has been primarily caused by grocery stores trying to increase profit margins. Another 26 per cent think it’s mostly due to global economic factors, while one in five blame the federal government

Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, 18% are boycotting Loblaw: poll

Indian international students most likely to live in unsuitable housing, StatCan says

The study, which was based on the most recent census data, says Indian students were more likely to live in unsuitable housing than students from other countries. In Brampton, Ont. and Surrey, B.C., the municipalities with the largest proportions of Indian students, more than 60 per cent of international students were living in unsuitable housing.