Ontario Invests in Education About the Holodomor
New Mobile Classroom to Build Understanding, Respect and Global Citizenship
Starting in the 2015-16 school year, students in publicly funded schools across Ontario will have access to an innovative learning experience about the Holodomor – a man-made famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in 1932-1933.
The province has committed $750,000 to support a mobile classroom that will travel across the province and raise awareness about the Holodomor among students in urban, rural, northern, First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
The bilingual, wheelchair accessible mobile classroom will provide students with an engaging and authentic learning opportunity through interactive, innovative audio visual and web technologies. Educators, parents and community members will also be invited to participate in shared learning and understand how crimes against humanity and genocide have impacted Canada and the world.
The new resource supports Canadian and World Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities courses in secondary schools as well as Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy which aims to create an inclusive education system that values diversity and respect for others.
Promoting diversity, human rights and social justice values through education supports the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.
- The province has committed $750,000 to support the Holodomor Mobile Classroom and the Holodomor National Awareness Tour.
- Tour partners include the Canada Ukraine Foundation, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre, the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium and the Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies.
- The Holodomor refers to the genocide in Ukraine that resulted in the death by starvation of millions of Ukrainians and Eastern Europeans in 1932-1933.
- Ontario’s Holodomor Memorial Day Act (Bill 147) dedicates the fourth Saturday in November to commemorate the tragic historical event.
- Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy
- Ontario curriculum: Canadian and World Studies, Grades 9 and 10, 2013
- Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario
“Ontario is one of the most diverse provinces in Canada. The Holodomor Awareness Tour will promote a deeper respect for human rights, social justice and democratic values, helping prepare students for their role as engaged, responsible and caring global citizens. This dynamic, real-world learning opportunity will build students’ critical thinking, analysis and 21st century learning skills.”
Minister of Education
“We thank the Ontario Ministry of Education for their support for this important and innovative project. The Holodomor Mobile Classroom will teach students across Ontario the truth about the Holodomor and go beyond the textbook by inspiring and empowering students to become active, engaged and thoughtful citizens.”
Victor Hetmanczuk
President, Canada-Ukraine Foundation
To read this article on the Government of Ontario’s website, please click here:
