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By RON FANFAIR
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A Toronto District School Board vice-principal has joined the call for experimental Black-focused schools as an alternative educational mechanism for youth disengaged and disaffected in the current school system.

The keynote speaker at the Black History Month celebration last weekend of the Organization of Parents of Black Children (OPBC), Gary Pieters also expressed the view that Afrocentric schools would serve students of all backgrounds in much the same way as magnet and charter schools.

"Afrocentric schools would be able to stimulate our students to critically explore learning and construct meaning as they build knowledge through world views that are inclusionary of the contributions of Canadians of African descent to all areas of society, history, culture, science and the arts," explained Pieters

"In an Afrocentric school, students will be able to learn in English and another language such as Somali, Swahili and Creole. I believe that we have the educators, parents, community organizations, students and human resources to create Afrocentric/Black-focused schools that will be academies of excellence.

"There is a wide body of scholarship and resources that have already been developed and would influence the learning and teaching in a Black-focused school." Pieters reminded the audience that the concept of Black-focused schools is not new, pointing to The Higher Marks Institute and The Tafari School as institutions that already provide Afrocentric learning environments.

Several other community organizations, including the Canadian Alliance of Black Educators, the African Heritage Educators Network and Tropicana Community Services have developed Saturday programs for African-Canadian students.

In addition, the Toronto Board of Education started a Black-focused program, Nighana, at Eastdale Collegiate that still exists.

"I propose a summit on the implementation of Black-focused schools," said Pieters. "This would include all stakeholders from the community in public and private education with implementation timelines and reports on what school boards are already doing in advancing this reality."

Founded in May 1980, the OPBC has worked tirelessly in the past 25 years to help make the school system more nurturing to the legitimate hopes, ambitions and aspirations of Black children.

"I congratulate you on your milestone celebration and urge you to continue to serve as advocates and as a gathering place for the articulation and implementation of strategies that will contribute to the success of Black students from kindergarten to university," Pieters added.