AFTER Juliet Daniel delivered her first lecture as a professor at McMaster University back in 1999, a few Black students enthusiastically dashed up to speak with her.

However, what they said surprised the biologist and cancer researcher.  

“They were excited because they had never in their entire life had a single Black teacher,” Daniel, who is based in Hamilton, Ont., recalled. “[They] had grown up in the GTA and they were in second-year university and I was the first Black teacher they had ever had.”

That experience helped drive the research scientist’s decision to mentor and support young Black students, especially those studying in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) like hers.
 
Black students and faculty have long seen fewer Black youth pursue and continue in STEM than other racial groups. Only in recent years has there been more support for a concerted, national effort to figuring out why. In the meantime, Black researchers, students and community groups are tackling the disparity on multiple fronts. 

Daniel has seen the effect negative narratives and portrayals of Black Canadians have on the confidence, self-esteem and academic potential of Black students.

She was born and raised in Barbados before moving to Canada for her undergraduate and graduate studies. “I never doubted that I could be anything I wanted to be because Barbados is predominantly Black. We have Black lawyers, Black doctors, Black politicians, Black prime ministers,” she said.  

But in Canada, she said, many Black youth are turned off of STEM disciplines in high school or even elementary school.

“There’s just this weight that is on their shoulders from how they’re portrayed in the media or how their teachers talk to them, that they don’t think they can do science. Even if they’re interested, they have no one to help guide them and steer them as to how they should pursue that passion.”

Gathering and analyzing data key to identifying gaps

A 2020 Statistics Canada report examining a cohort of Black Canadian youth, based on the 2006 and 2016 censuses  , found that Black students graduate high school at a similar rate to other racial groups. However, the cohort of Black teens from 2006 were less likely than their counterparts to have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree 10 years later. 

Individual researchers have looked at racial disparities in education regionally, but Canada hasn’t made it a national practice to collect and analyze education data through the lens of race.That information is key to identifying disparities, gaps, systemic barriers and other issues blocking fuller participation of Black and other racialized people in STEM disciplines, says Jennifer D. Adams, an associate professor in the faculties of science and education at the University of Calgary.

In the United States, there’s more data exploring educational patterns and trends among Black students , a response to the country’s “long history of in-your-face racism, for lack of a better term,” noted the researcher, who was born and raised in New York.

Canada puts forth “a strong rhetoric” of the country being a cultural mosaic and upholding “an ideology of not seeing colour,” she said, but that typically means students from different races and ethnicities see their experiences boiled down into one “visible minorities” bucket.

University of Calgary professor Jennifer D. Adams, a Canada Research Chair in Creativity and STEM, is studying the experiences of BIPOC STEM students in Western Canada. (Submitted by Jennifer D. Adams)

A willingness to acknowledge and address racial discrimination within education has increased in recent years, following the murder of George Floyd , the resurgence of Black Lives Matters protests and the establishment of groups like the Canadian Black Scientists Network, in which both Daniel and Adams are involved.

Scientists with the network are working with Statistics Canada, for instance, to compile and analyze data on the proportion of Black students in STEM from high school onwards.

Adams, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Creativity and STEM, is currently studying the experiences of BIPOC post-secondary STEM students in Western Canada. Black students have shared heartbreaking stories, she said, about their contributions being dismissed and feeling alienated at school. 

“There are Black students that noted that they didn’t feel comfortable wearing their hair in an afro or wearing … regular clothes that they would wear on the street, [to avoid] being ‘perceived as being ghetto’ and not belonging to these science spaces,” she said.

“They have to feel and be and talk and act and do things in a certain way in order to fit in or … have to overcompensate to prove that they belong.”

Early support needed

Looking around her classrooms in Vancouver, biology graduate student Kywana Bonaparte sees some diversity, but says “someone who looks exactly like me or something more similar to me, I would say that still needs to be improved.” 

The University of British Columbia student grew up with supportive parents who encouraged her interests early on by enrolling her into science camps and fairs, as well as teachers who recommended paths to continue learning STEM subjects.

Watching a family friend study medicine and become a doctor also modelled academic success. 

Biology graduate student Kywana Bonaparte, seen at her undergraduate commencement, says early on, her parents supported and encouraged her interest in science and math. She’s hoping to create that same support for younger students in her hometown of Calgary. (Submitted by Kywana Bonaparte)

She’s now working to improve the situation for younger students in her hometown of Calgary, in her role as youth advisory lead for Realize Your Potential (RYP), an education and mentorship program supporting Black youth. The organization is adding more STEM learning and introducing students to careers in those fields. 

That might look like hands-on experiences for younger kids, showing them science in their everyday lives, Bonaparte says, along with mentorships for and giving advice to high schoolers about opportunities in STEM and the pathway to those careers.

Lack of information and opportunities

“I don’t think there’s a lack of interest,” said Desiree Henry, a co-founder of the Realize Your Potential program, who is now based in Toronto. “It’s mostly a lack of information being provided to Black youth, as well as opportunities.”

Henry, who recalled being the only Black student at her elementary school until she reached Grade 7, said support from clubs and her community helped her push through racial bullying and mistreatment she faced at school. With the RYP program, she wants to help a new generation prevail against education system barriers. 

Desiree Henry is one of the co-founders of Realize Your Potential, an education and mentorship program in Alberta supporting Black youth. 

Javonte Blake and Jahzara Atkins, siblings currently enrolled in the RYP program, say the learning environment is different than in their regular schools, where discussions about race or Black history aren’t present or make others uncomfortable.

Sitting amongst Black students and teachers at RYP, as well as being encouraged to ask questions and share her thoughts make the program “fun,” said Atkins, 11. “We get to speak our opinions about the subject … I like that part because I get to speak my mind.”

Blake, 15, said he appreciates the different approach used, from engaging resources such as TED talks to slowing down to explore subjects more completely. The teen admits that some of his friends “think it’s just extra work for no reason” to spend Saturdays in an additional class, “but I know why I’m doing it. I’m doing it so that I can get a better education and better myself.”

Calgary students Javonte Blake, second from left, and his sister Jahzara Atkins, second from right, said their extracurricular classes with Realize Your Potential are different than regular school.

Bonaparte wants young Black students to see a world of opportunity. “I want them to see possibility … I want them to see that people that look like them are succeeding in the fields of STEM and that’s also attainable for them to do so as well,” she said. 

“I also want to provide them opportunities to explore the possibilities that exist in STEM earlier on in life … so that they can really understand what it means to be a part of this.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Daniel, who along with running a lab and conducting cancer research, is busy with multiple initiatives — working with Black academics across the country to study the issue and pushing forward the Canadian Black Scientists Network — in hopes of moving the dial.  

“If we’re saying … ‘Nothing for us without us,’ then as a Black community we need to realize that we have to be flooding every single profession with as many Black youth as possible so that they can achieve their potential in all these professions.” 

• CBC.ca

STAFF REPORTER |

NORTH West Premier Bushy Maape announced on Friday that his administration will set aside billions of rands for some of the public infrastructure projects to be implemented by the department of public works, including the completion of new schools during the financial year.

“Education will expend in excess of R1.2 billion on maintenance and construction of new schools.”

Maape delivered his first State-Of-the-Province-Address (SOPA) in the provincial legislature on Friday morning.

Maape was elected as premier in August last year after the resignation of Premier Job Mokgoro.

“Some of the public infrastructure projects to be implemented by the department of public works include the completion of new schools during the financial year 2022/23; these are Kgabalatsane Secondary Schools, Tlakgameng Secondary School, Tlokwe Secondary School, Tigane Secondary School (Phase2), Kagiso Barolong Secondary School, Monnamere Primary School, Kgetleng Secondary School, Mamodibo High School and Rekgonne Bapo Secondary School,” said Maape.

The Department of Education appointed 4 535 Food Handlers to serve meals to learners during lock down and extended school holidays.

The premier added that the department have enlisted the participation and support of the National Department of Higher Education, Department of Science and Technology, together with the relevant SETA’s.

Maape said for the financial year 2022/23, the following youth programmes will be implemented in the province:

• One Hundred and twenty (120) young people will benefit from the interventions focusing on skills development, in areas of road

marking and pothole patching in partnership with DEDECT and the Construction SETA.

• DEDECT in partnership with Services SETA (SSETA) will recruit 100 young people to participate in the Business Advisory Candidacy Programme and a further 200 in the Business Advisory Skills Programme.

• The Department of Social Development will train additional three hundred (300) youths in terms of the National Youth Service.

• R 11million has been set aside through the Agricultural Graduate Programme to train 120 unemployed graduates, who will be placed at various agricultural farms and enterprises across the province.

• –Inside Education

STAFF REPORTER |

NINE learners in Mpumalanga have lost their lives while several others have been injured in a horrific accident. This is according to the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

The Department said that the accident occurred around Mpuluzi where a taxi carrying some learners lost control capsised at the Mpuluzi bridge.
“The Mpumalanga Department of Education learnt with shock and sadness about a horrible accident which occurred around Mpuluzi wherein a taxi carrying some learners lost control capsised at the Mpuluzi bridge.”

“This horrible accident resulted in the death of nine learners and several others injured.”

Reports indicate that the accident occurred at about 15H30 on Wednesday.

The injured learners have been taken to several hospitals for treatment of the injuries they incurred.

The affected learners are from Tisiteni, Sitanani and Wesley primary schools.

The MEC for Education, Bonakele Majuba said he is saddened by the accident. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured learners a speedy recovery.

“These are sad and shattering news of the loss of young lives who had a promising future. The Department sends sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wishes them all the strength they can muster in this time of need,” said MEC Majuba.

Officials from the Department visited the affected schools to convey condolences. “Officials from the Department visited the affected schools and bereaved families to render the required support, convey condolences and pay respect to the innocent lost lives. May the Souls of the Departed. Rest in Peace!”

-Inside Education

STAFF REPORTER |

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has welcomed the ruling that it was not involved in the erroneous payment of R14 million into the account of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student Sibongile Mani.

“The scheme said it welcomed the ruling which proved that it was not involved in the erroneous payment made by Intellimali, an independent service provider responsible for the disbursement of funds at WSU,” the statement reads.

This comes after Mani was found guilty and convicted of theft by the East London regional court last week.
Mani’s lawyer argued that she never intentionally tried to deprive the NSFAS of money. However, the State says she knew she was not entitled to the money – but chose to blow R820 000 in 73 days.

The payment was made into Mani’s account on June 1 2017. She allegedly spent R20,000 within two hours of receiving the payment, on items like cigarettes and alcohol.

The money was transferred by Cape Town-based company Intellimali, which was contracted by WSU to disburse funds to its students.
The then accounting student was due to receive her monthly R1 400 food allowance, but because of what was described in court as a “ridiculous and absurd technical glitch”, R14 million was credited to her account.

The NSFAS Spokesperson, Kagiso Mamabolo said that no payment of R14m was transferred into any student or university account intended for Mani by NSFAS.

“The scheme did not suffer any loss of funding due to the erroneous payment. No payment of R14m was transferred into any student or university account intended for Mani by NSFAS,” he said.

Mamabolo said the scheme authorised and paid the normal monthly R1,400 to WSU intended for Mani.

“The CEO of Intellimali confirmed that Intellimali takes full administrative and financial responsibility for the incident,” Mamabolo said.

Mani will return to court on March 8 for pre-sentencing reports.

-Inside Education

STAFF REPORTER |

THE community of Luka Village near Rustenburg in North West woke up to shocking news to shocking news that their school called Ramotse Primary School has burnt down.

According to North West Department of Education the school was burnt on Saturday midnight. The Department’s spokesperson, Elias Malindi said the cause of the fire is still unknown however, they suspect that it was a criminal activity.

The fire destroyed a computer lab, National School Nutrition Programme storage and a block of toilets for the girls and boys.
“The cause of fire is still unknown but the school community suspects that it was criminal activities. The fire destroyed a computer lab with 40 computers, photocopiers, printers, Mathematics lab (1 projector, one screen, manipulative cupboard, interactive board and 18 tables), National School Nutrition Programme storage (food for learners) and Learner Teaching Supply Material (Stationery and textbooks) and a block of toilets for the girls and boys,” said Malindi.

The MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela condemned in ‘strongest terms the alleged burning of the school. “I take this moment to condemn in its strongest terms the alleged burning of Ramotse Primary school. Such incidents are clearly targeted at delaying the provisioning of education to an African child, “she said.

Matsemela said that those who are responsible should be jailed.

“These incidents are aimed at destroying the right to education enshrined by the South African Constitution. We wish the full might of the law to find those responsible and send them to jail where they belong”, said Matsemela.

The department said the school has opened a case of arson with the local police station.

-Inside Education

STAFF REPORTER|

ELETSA Secondary School Boys Under-16 Soccer team from Letlhabile township near Brits stunned the entire country when they were crowned as the only school to represent South Africa in the Pan African Championships.

The Pan African Championships will be held from 17 to 21 February 2022 in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The North West Department of Education spokesperson Elias Malindi said that Eletsa secondary school won every game the played.

“The Under-16 Soccer team from Eletsa secondary school won every game on their way from Sub – District level, district, provincial and at national level. On the national level they played in the elementary stages then proceeded to the semi – finals. They defeated Grey College from Free State 2 – 1 and in the finals they defeated Clapham Secondary School,” said Malindi.

Malindi said: “As part of the collaboration partnership between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture(DSAC), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have identified South Africa to take part in a pilot inter – school tournament scheduled to take place from 17 to 21 February 2022in the DRC of Congo.”

The South African team will join other five countries namely: Benin, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

The MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela congratulated Eletsa Secondary School for their milestone achievement and wished them good luck in the continental championship.

“I am extremely proud of the achievement of Eletsa Secondary; they have showed that in the North West province there is lot of talent. Our schools do not only provide learners with academic exposure but we also expose them to extra – mural activities. During the matric release Eletsa Secondary school is one of the township schools that has done extremely well irrespective of their locality. They have produced two top performing learners in Accounting and Economics across the province. This clearly shows that schools in the townships and rural areas are dominating the space academically and in extra murals”, said Matsemela.

Matsemela further thanked the Superintendent General, Stephinah Semaswe who supported the team in Bloemfontein. Semaswe send her warm wishes to the entire team in their continental adventure.

The Under-16 Soccer team is expected to leave the country on Thursday, 17 February and will be returning on 21 February 2022.

• –Inside Education

WENDY MOTHATA |

THE Eastern Cape Department of Education said about 120 Kamvalesizwe Primary school learners, in Kenton-on-Sea, outside Port Alfred have been admitted at the Port Alfred Hospital after complaining of stomach aches and vomiting on Monday afternoon.

Eastern Cape education spokesperson Mali Mtima said: “It is alleged that these learners started showing signs of this after having a meal served at their school during the lunch break period as part of the School Nutrition Program.”

Mtima said that the departmental officials from the district, provincial office and the Department of Basic Education are on site monitoring the situation.

“Departmental officials from the district, provincial office and the Department of Basic Education are on site monitoring the situation. The district office is currently providing psychosocial services to the learners, teachers and parents,” Mtima said.

All the officials and parents are currently waiting for the medical reports on what led to the situation.

“The department is monitoring the situation in collaboration with the department of Health. Currently, all officials and parents are still awaiting medical reports on what led to the situation.”

The spokesperson said that a more detailed statement will be released in due course on any new developments.

A full investigation is now underway.

• –Inside Education

WENDY MOTHATA |

GAUTENG MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi on Monday announced that South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) would step in and investigate the alleged racism at the Hoërskool Jan Viljoen in Randfontein, Gauteng.

Lesufi visited Jan Viljoen High School in Randfontein on Monday following violent incident that took place amongst learners at the school.

Lesufi said that racism and other forms of discrimination should be eliminated.

“The purpose of the visit was to obtain a report from the school leadership on the incident. that occurred at the school on Friday, 11 February 2022,” said spokesperson Oupa Bodibe.

Lesufi said that the incident at the schools reflects ‘deep-seated’ racist attitudes in the schools and community.

He said that the department must ensure that the school is fully transformed and is a safe and welcoming space for all people regardless of their race, class or religion.

“Racism and other forms of discrimination should be eliminated. The incident at the schools reflects deep-seated racist attitudes in our schools and community. We must grasp this opportunity to ensure that the school is fully transformed and is a safe and welcoming space for all people regardless of their race, class or religion. We appeal to everyone to give this process and opportunity and not incite violence,” said Lesufi.

According to Bodibe, Lesufi met with different stakeholders including the SGB, the Principal, the School Management Team (SMT), the Police, the learners and the staff.

“The meeting received a briefing from the School Principal, the SGB and the Police. Subsequently, the MEC met with learner, parents of the affected learners, the learners at the schools and educators. MEC Lesufi also addressed the community that was gathered outside of the school,” Bodibe said.

During Lesufi’s interaction with the learners at the school, one of the learners said, “racism was there in the past, but it’s not like it is now. I’m not safe at Jan Viljoen.”

Another learner said: “What happened on Friday is very wrong however, only white kids are protected in the school. White kids are treated differently but we all pay school fees. We, children from Jan Viljoen we don’t feel safe.”

The school released a statement on Facebook on Sunday, citing that the investigation is underway and guilty parties will be punished.

“The School as well as the Board of Directors have been busy investigating the incident all weekend. We assure you that the guilty parties will be punished in terms of the SA School Law and the school’s code of conduct.”

According to Gauteng Department of Education the following actions will be implemented:

1. Racism from any quarter is condemned and will be attacked;

2. The Principal has collated evidence and has requested anyone with information to come forward with the information. This evidence will be given to the South Africa Human Rights Commission, the Police and the SGB for further investigation;

3. The Police will continue with the investigation of the 4 cases and submit to the NPA for a decision;

4. The South African Human Rights Commission will be requested to investigate allegations of racism and other forms of discrimination;

 5. The SGB must continue with Disciplinary Action against the perpetrators;

6. A staff member employed by the SGB accused of sexual harassment will be placed on precautionary suspensions. Department of Social Development will take statements from any interest party;

7. The Department will implement a programme of Diversity Management to assist the school as it goes through the crucible of transformation;  

8. In-contact classes will be suspended until Thursday 15 February. Lessons will be provided remotely through online and other means;

9. A parents meeting will be convened on Thursday.

–Inside Education

WENDY MOTHATA |

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West will write to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari, requesting that he do an urgent unannounced provincial audit of scholar transport contracts.

The DA said the audit should verify the pick-up and drop-off times of children daily.

“The audit must include the actual number of scholar transporters operating in the North West province, a thorough condition assessment of each vehicle, and verify the number of passengers pertrip. The audit should also verify the pick-up and drop-off times of children daily.”

According to the DA, there are growing concerns about the buses’ roadworthiness and safety issues.

Growing concerns about the buses’roadworthiness, safety and reliability surfaced following an oversight by members of the North West Provincial Legislature regarding the 2022 school readiness and state of scholar transport around the province,” said the DA.

“Allegedly some of these transporters overload the busses, forcing children to stand throughout the trip. Some buses frequently break down, ending up with children arriving late or not making it to school at all. Parents are often forced to pay up to R50 per trip to get their children to school safely.”

Lehari previously indicated that the Department had hired Monitors to check the trips.

However, the party said Based on their observations, the Monitors do not exist. “If they do, they are bribed or are sleeping on the job.”

The DA said that the condition of the buses poses a threat to the lives of the children, inhibits learners access to education and degrades learners’ human dignity

“Following the audit and its findings, MEC Lehari must revoke the contracts of all the transporters who do not comply. The condition of these buses poses a severe threat to the lives of the children, inhibits learners access to education and degrades their human dignity,” the party said.

The party added that if the North West Scholar Transport department fails to do the provincial audit it will report the matter to the Human Rights Commission.

“Failure to urgently do this provincial audit will leave the DA no choice but to report the matter to the Human Rights Commission to do the audit. The safety of our children must be a high priority, and we must take action to restore the dignity of our children. Anything that hampers effective teaching and learning from taking place, the DA will fight tooth and nail.”

• –Inside Education