Remember The March of the Penguins, where all the male Emperor Penguins huddled together for warmth in the coldest place on earth and Morgan Freeman told us why?
I’ve always taken that image as a symbol for Canadians. Thrust into a cruel alien world, we take shelter in the centre. The edges frighten us, our well-mannered ‘middleness’ makes us the nicest people on earth, so why risk what’s out there on the extremes?
This prized Canadian quality must have been in the minds of the Vancouver School Board last week when they did away entirely with honours courses in math and science in its 18 high schools.
In their words: “By phasing out these courses, all students will have access to an inclusive model of education, and all students will be able to participate in the curriculum fulsomely,” the statement reads.
To which I reply: “Are you out of your minds”?
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UPCOMING RAMSAYTALK EVENT
Join us for a free private screening of Cory Trépanier’s stunning new film, Into the Arctic: Awakening, that offers an intimate view of the top two-thirds of our home and native land. We’re presenting it with our friends at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Register for your free ticket here.