Staff under investigation after Black student, 6, allegedly locked in small room in Ontario elementary school
CTV
Three staff at an elementary school in Ontario are under investigation after a six-year-old Black student was allegedly separated from his peers and locked in a closet-sized room.
Three staff at a Toronto elementary school are under investigation after a six-year-old Black student was allegedly separated from his peers and locked in a closet-sized room in January.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) confirmed Monday that staff learned of reports of “serious acts of anti-Black racism at John Fisher Junior Public School” last week and that, as a result, a principal, vice-principal, and teacher have been removed from the property and placed on home assignment.
“It’s emotional, it’s unbelievable,” the child’s mother, Faridah, told CTV Toronto Monday. Her last name is being omitted to protect the identity of the child.
Faridah is alleging dozens of instances of racist behaviour toward her and her son at the midtown school leading up to the January incident when she says her son was locked in a closet-sized room for 30 minutes.
In a written statement issued Monday, TDSB said it is working to investigate the reports as soon as possible and is committed to taking “the required steps on each action reported."
According to Faridah, at some point during the school day on Jan. 31, her son was sent to the office. As her son waited in the office, another student arrived in need of medical treatment, she says.
