Ontario teachers need more training on Aboriginal issues

A recently released report says public school teachers in Ontario are not receiving enough training on Aboriginal issues. Only 29 per cent of elementary schools and 47 per cent of secondary schools offer training on Aboriginal issues to teachers, said the report by People for Education, a research and advocacy group. The report comes on the heels of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 recommendations, which included increased education in the classroom on residential schools and Aboriginal peoples. There has been some improvement, though, with 69 per cent of secondary schools offering students or staff Aboriginal education opportunities, compared to 61 per cent the previous year. The majority of elementary schools in the province, however, do not offer any Aboriginal education opportunities, according to the report. The report shows that 96 per cent of Ontario secondary schools and 92 per cent of elementary schools have Aboriginal students.