Religious Challenges in Schools

The presentation will be divided into public and separate (ie Catholic and private) schools. Each
will discuss the issues and solutions used by different schools throughout Canada.

Introduction
Presentation begins with quotes that encompass the issues
The focus of the presentation and the reason why are discussed broad and complex =
reason

Public Schools
Issues
o Religious diversity
o Students ability to practice their religion
o Religious education
Response
o Neutral environment
o Accommodating diversity

Each issues will have examples that expand on these concepts during the presentation.

Separate Schools
Issues
o Proper behaviour while maintaining beliefs
o Changing society
o Role of parents
Response
o Highly accommodating
o Unwilling to change

Further examples will be discussed during the presentation.

Video Activity
There is a video for both public and separate schools following the slides that discuss the issues
of each system. Each looks to shows how different religious issues are being handled in actual
schools across the country.
Questions will be asked about the videos for a group discussion activity.
o Questions
o What similarities and difference do we see in the videos?
o What are some other religious issues teachers may face that were not discussed in
the videos?

Resources
Lewy, Southey and Betty, Stafford. How to expose fourth and fifth graders to religion and
spirituality in a public school classroom. International Journal of Children's Spirituality 12, no.
3 (December 2007): 325-30.
Davis, Michael J. Religion, Democracy and the Public Schools. Journal of Law and Religion
25, no. 1 (2009-2010): 33-56.

http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/chris-selley-religious-education-under-fire-across-
canada

https://www.teachers.ab.ca/Publications/ATA%20News/Volume-51-2016-17/Number-5/Pages/Q-
and-A.aspx

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/creed-freedom-religion-and-human-rights-special-issue-diversity-
magazine-volume-93-summer-2012/faith-public-school-system-principles-reconciliation

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2012/09/15/religion_in_public_schools.h
tml

http://globalnews.ca/news/2236822/catholic-high-school-in-alberta-switching-to-gender-neutral-
washrooms/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zer8AaHzEqs

http://teachingadolescents.weebly.com/uploads/8/2/4/5/8245795/1511456_orig.jpg?280

http://media.washtimes.com.s3.amazonaws.com/media/image/2016/05/10/Transgender_Rights_
Bathrooms.JPEG-01816.jpg