[The powerpoint presentation of the Action Plan is linked HERE. There is also a pdf version of the presentation HERE.]
– The Collectif Éducation sans frontieres provides Montreal School Board with “Action Plan” to provide access to school for all children
– Montreal School Board to be asked to provide access to non-status children urgently at meeting this evening
REMINDER: Demonstration at the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) this WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at 3737 Sherbrooke East. This demonstration will also include a public presentation to the Commission scolaire de Montréal of an Action Plan to allow children access into schools.
For media interviews, contact: 438-933-7654 or solidaritesansfrontieres@gmail.com
MONTREAL, Wednesday, March 27, 2013 — Yesterday evening, the Collectif Éducation sans frontières (Education For All Collective) provided all commissioners of the Montreal School Board (Commission scolaire de Montréal, CSDM) with an “Action Plan” concerning access to schooling for non-status children. The Action Plan responds to questions by school board commissioners, and provides a urgent, viable and clear proposal for the Commission to implement, that will allow all children in Montreal to attend school.
In the Action Plan (which is available as a powerpoint presentation HERE and a pdf document HERE), the Collectif outlines straightforward measures that the school board could undertake immediately. This includes providing a temporary and confidential “code permanent” to non-status children, waiving any costs (which can be upwards of $5000-6000), and allowing access to school without fear with simple proof of residence. For context, in the United States, all non-status children can attend school. In Toronto, non-status kids can also get access to schooling, and community members there have provided a short video addressed to the Montreal School Board.
According to Radney Jean-Claude, a member of the Collectif Éducation sans frontières who used to be a secondary school student in Montreal: “The Commissioners need to understand that this is an urgent situation. There are hundreds of children, possibly more, on the territory of the CSDM who cannot go to school, which is why we are urging immediate and urgent action.”
Judith Rouan, also a member of the Collectif Éducation sans frontières with two children in CSDM schools, adds: “The Commissioners can take decisive action this evening. The Commission scolaire de Montréal has an obligation to provide schooling to kids, and should offer that schooling immediately. By doing so, in the careful manner we’ve outlined, the necessary changes at the provincial level will follow quickly, and Quebec can resolve this shameful situation and breach of basic human rights.”
The Collectif éducation sans frontières will once again be demonstrating at the CSDM this evening, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, at 6:30pm at 3737 Sherbrooke East. The Collectif will also be presenting their Action Plan orally to all commissioners during the School Board meeting, and demanding quick action by the commissioners.
The media, both alternative and mainstream, is asked to attend to document this presentation and reaction by the Montreal School Board. As well, supporters of the right to schooling for all children, without discrimination of any sort, are encouraged to attend the protest and hearing in large numbers.