A Jewish advocacy organization has released a report urging the Ontario Ministry of Education to focus on academic achievement rather than identity politics in classrooms. The report from the Jewish Educators and Families Association of Canada (JEFA) comes in response to a survey revealing that Ontario students have faced numerous antisemitic incidents.

Speaking in downtown Toronto, JEFA co-founder Tamara Gottlieb expressed concern that the education system has strayed from its moral and academic foundations. She emphasized that the issues at hand extend beyond the Jewish community, affecting Hindu, Christian, and Asian students as well. Gottlieb criticized the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for training staff on identifying “who qualifies as an oppressor,” which she claims has led to an unwelcoming environment for various groups.

"We discovered a system that has replaced reading, writing, and arithmetic with politicized content, union-driven equity agendas, and identity-based labeling," Gottlieb stated. She argued that the term "equity" is misinterpreted in school policies, where it is defined as a guaranteed outcome rather than a guaranteed opportunity.

The JEFA report, titled "End the Crisis in Education: A Plan for Equal Rights and Real Learning," describes antisemitism as a significant indicator of dysfunction within the education system. Gottlieb noted that antisemitism is not only present but tolerated in Ontario schools. She also highlighted that school board trustees, teachers, and parents feel silenced due to strict code of conduct policies.

"They are actually precluded from speaking publicly about any concerns in the system and precluded from speaking privately with parents who come to them," Gottlieb said. The report suggests that school board leadership should require governance qualifications to ensure accountability.

Gottlieb provided an example of a Grade 6 teacher in the TDSB who wore a keffiyeh in class shortly after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. The teacher reportedly showed students videos from Al Jazeera about the Nakba, a term referring to the displacement of Arab Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and displayed a Free Palestine poster with a QR code for donations. This teacher faced no repercussions for these actions.

The report calls for the province to clarify rules regarding religious and political garments in schools, as the wearing of keffiyehs has sparked controversy among various groups. Gottlieb stated that keffiyehs are viewed by many as symbols associated with violence against Jewish people, and she urged the minister to standardize policies across school boards.

Additionally, Gottlieb criticized the current educational resources, stating that textbooks are rarely used in classrooms. She advocated for centralized teaching materials approved by the ministry, along with training for teachers on how to utilize these resources effectively.

The JEFA report also recommends that teachers be licensed directly by the Ministry of Education instead of the Ontario College of Teachers. The organization has reached out to Ontario’s Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, requesting that he review their findings and implement necessary changes.

In response, a spokesperson for the minister stated, "Discrimination and racism in all its forms have no place in our classrooms. Parents expect schools to keep divisive politics out of the classroom and instead focus on what matters most: teaching students reading, writing, and math skills to prepare them for good-paying jobs and lifelong success." The spokesperson confirmed that the minister has received the report and will consider its recommendations.

Gottlieb concluded by emphasizing the need for equal rights for all students, stating, "If Ontario can find the courage to make these changes, our schools can once again be places where every child feels safe and where the measure of success is achievement, not ideology. Jewish students can’t afford to wait."