“Religious Discrimination in Black & White”

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According to the Ontario College of Teachers, there are three requirements for becoming a teacher in Ontario’s publicly funded schools:

have completed a minimum three-year postsecondary degree from an acceptable postsecondary institution

have successfully completed a one-year acceptable teacher education program

apply to the College for certification and pay the annual membership and registration fees. Application process includes providing proof of identity and a Canadian Criminal Record Check Report.

However, this information is incomplete. There is one more requirement/hoop to jump to become a teacher in Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic school system: a “Priest Reference Form For Teacher Applicants.” WTF? you ask.  It’s simple really if you are a the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) in partnership with The Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops (ACBO) and The Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association (OCSOA) because

Catholic schools consider it essential that all teachers support the religious goals of our system, both explicitly and by example. . . . Teacher candidates are expected to be disciples of Jesus Christ and faithful members of the Catholic Church. . . . They should recognize that, while Catholic adults have a right to form their own opinions and make responsible decisions, teachers’ personal conduct has a significant effect on the children in their care.

The Ontario government is favouring one religion over all others by funding Catholic schools and is allowing OCSTA ACBO and OCSOA to discriminate against qualified non-practicing and non-Catholic teachers.  The “Priest Reference Form For Teacher Applicants” is religious discrimination in black & white and it makes me see red.

h/t: Smarter Schools