THE CHALLENGES OF MULTICULTURALISM: A PERSPECTIVE FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
Abstract
Multiculturalism is a regrettably long word for a simple if hard concept, one that Canada has seriously undertaken to make its own. Implementing that concept runs slap up against human ignorance - elevated by rationalizations into prejudice and hardened into stony durability by the habitual procedures of institutions. Sullivan concerns himself chiefly with Nova Scotia, and points out that the principal of any school catering to minority groups, faced as he or she must be with the undertaking to implement a national policy, must begin by clearing the ground of ignorance - his or her own ignorance about groups in the school's community, and theirs about each other. Bridges must then be built between the cultures represented there, by involving the groups in leadership. With the assistance of that leadership, the principal must make a major effort to reconcile school practice particularly with those goals in the curriculum that are consistent with the national aim. Finally, he or she must take the exceptional steps necessary to obtain the exceptional teaching that the presence of a mix of cultures demands. RÉSUMÉ Le multiculturalisme est un mot fâcheusement long qui décrit un concept simple et difficile que le Canada a sérieusement résolu de faire sien. La mise en pratique de ce concept se bute à l'ignorance humaine, élevée par la rationalisation au rang de préjudice et figée en durabilité inébranlable par les méthodes courantes des établissements. Sullivan se penche principalement sur la Nouvelle-Ecosse et signale que le directeur de toute école qui s'occupe des groupes minoritaires, dans le cadre de la mise en vigueur d'une politique nationale, doit, en premier lieu, commencer par se débarrasser de l'ignorance - de sa propre ignorance au sujet des groupes de sa communauté scolaire ainsi que de leur propre ignorance au sujet de l'école et de son directeur. Il faut construire des ponts entre les cultures représentées en les incluant dans les décisions. Fort de cet appui, le directeur pourra entreprendre un effort majeur pour concilier les pratiques scolaires, notamment en incluant dans le programme des objectifs conformes à la politique nationale. Enfin, il doit prendre les mesures extraordinaires qui s'imposent pour dispenser l'enseignement exceptionnel qui satisfera aux exigences multiculturelles.Downloads
Published
1984-09-01
How to Cite
Sullivan, K. (1984). THE CHALLENGES OF MULTICULTURALISM: A PERSPECTIVE FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill, 19(003). Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/7583
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