The Higher Victoria Faculty Board has issued an apology for choices made within the early 1900s that led to segregation of Chinese language college students within the public faculty system.

“Amongst a protracted listing of historic wrongs perpetuated in opposition to the Chinese language neighborhood in Victoria, this stands out as a very darkish incident for our college district. The Higher Victoria Faculty Board apologizes for the actions of its earlier trustees and former board chair, George Jay,” mentioned Higher Victoria Faculty Board chair Ryan Painter.

“The racist discrimination that led to this act is unacceptable and considered with remorse. We are going to work with the Chinese language neighborhood to make sure this historical past isn’t forgotten and stay dedicated to celebrating their immense contributions to the Metropolis of Victoria and South Vancouver Island.”

In 1907, the Victoria Faculty Board handed a movement requiring Chinese language college students to move an English examination to attend faculties within the district.

The apply was legally challenged by the Chinese language Consolidated Benevolent Affiliation, and the district tailored the course to permit Canadian-born Chinese language college students to enroll in Victoria faculties, the college board mentioned. Chinese language-born youngsters who didn’t move the examination had been compelled to hunt another instructional pathway.

In 1922, the college board handed one other “decision to segregate all Chinese language college students as much as Grade 7 for the upcoming faculty yr.”

Principals eliminated Chinese language college students from their courses. Onstead, they needed to attend the Chinese language Public Faculty on King Highway, which led to protests and a faculty boycott. The Chinese language Canadian Membership, the Chinese language Commerce Affiliation, and the Chinese language Consolidated Benevolent Affiliation supported the strike.

“What began as a faculty boycott turned a protest motion for equality which introduced collectively the Chinese language neighborhood regionally, regionally and nationally from county and clan associations to people,” mentioned Alan Lowe, Victoria Chinatown Museum Society’s chair.

“These of us of Chinese language descent, who had been born and raised in Victoria, had been in a position to attend public faculties due to those that preceded us.”

On Monday, Sep. 5, neighborhood members will be capable of retrace the segregated college students’ steps and take part in a commemorative stroll marking the one centesimal anniversary of the coed protest.

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