Kitchener families are upset over their local public school opting not to hold a traditional graduation ceremony for Grade 8 students for equity and inclusion reasons.

This comes amid the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) embracing woke “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” (EDI) ideology – with the aim of fostering “an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and inclusive culture.”

Sahib Khakh, a Grade 8 student at Groh Public School, told CTV News that he and his peers “were all put into this one classroom and told that we’re not going to have a proper graduation.”

The school’s principal then told Sahib’s father, Surjit Khakh, that holding a formal ceremony would not be equitable for those who cannot afford nice clothes. 

The WRDSB told CTV News it is aiming “to adopt an equitable approach to these celebrations, ensuring accessibility for all students.” 

“In an effort to ensure inclusivity and to honour our student’s accomplishments in an equitable manner, Groh PS will hold a Celebration Week.” Activities for the “Celebration Week” include a pancake breakfast, a staff and student basketball game and a presentation of class t-shirts.

“This celebration will take place during the final week of school and will feature a series of events that have been chosen by the students and staff. Staff and students have worked extremely hard to ensure all students feel celebrated and included.”

The school’s decision is however not sitting well with students and their parents.

“I was very disappointed as that was one of the biggest things I was looking forward to this year. Just like a proper ceremony,” said Sahib, who watched his older sister graduate four years ago.

“I just wanted to walk across that stage,” he added. 

Sahib’s father added that graduation is “a memory and I think we’re taking that away from these children.”

Another parent named Damandeep Singh told CTV News “We love the school, but this is really pissing us off.” 

“I moved to Canada in 2004 from India with some hopes of a better future,” added Singh. “I think Canada is the best country to have traditions and we need to continue that.”

It should be noted that this is just the latest controversy involving the WRDSB – whose education director Jeewan Chanicka “spells his name with lower-case letters because he identifies with his Polynesian Indigenous spirituality and says that he doesn’t give more importance to himself than his surroundings, including animals, bodies of water and trees.”

In Dec. 2022, True North’s Sue-Ann Levy reported that the board had quietly administered an intrusive survey asking students as young as nine years old whether they’re “gender fluid, intersex, non-binary, trans or two-spirit.” 

The board also has a history of censoring and labeling those who object to its woke agenda.

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