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Arthur Haley is a World War II veteran.
He was trained as a sniper and ended up a much-needed
stretcher bearer because he had first aid training. In one of the worst
battles of the war, here he is today, a man who wears his medals
proudly, who may be losing his hearing but not his insight into what
education should mean to young students.
Haley lives on the Bruce Peninsula in the small community of Wiarton.
Each year, he organized the local public speaking contest, working with
the town's local elementary school. The contest was only one of many
sponsored by Legion branches throughout Ontario every February.
The contests are designed to teach young elementary students how to
verbally communicate, how to think and reason and then express their
thoughts in an articulate, organized way and also to be able to develop
the sense of retaining information.
Haley recently felt so moved, that he gave a deputation to the Bluewater
Board of Education at its meeting on Tuesday, March 24th.
The local Wiarton school, Peninsula Shores District School, under
principal, Patricia Cavan, decided to not allow their students'
participation in the Legion public speaking contest in 2009. "Actually,"
explained Haley, "the principal didn't want the students to participate
last year (2008) but we went ahead anyway. But honestly, we just can't
do it without the cooperation of the school."
In a letter, dated January 16, 2009, Cavan (principal) said that, "...we
are focusing on other skills with our elementary students."
(next column)
27/03/2009 09:38 PM
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"I guess I don't get it," says Haley. "What could be
more important than teaching young people how to communicate? How to
speak properly? It prepares them for success in life."
Marg Emery, Provincial Youth Education Chair of the Royal Canadian
Legion, Ontario Provincial Command, subsequently sent a letter to the
Minister of Education, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, on July 25, 2008,
in which she [Emery] set out the mandate of the Royal Canadian Legion.
"Our mandate," said Emery, "is the care of our veterans and their
dependants, the perpetuation of remembrance and the fostering of
Canada's youth. Youth programs include poems, posters and literary
contests, Track and Field program, scholarships and bursaries and
leadership programs. The importance of our Youth Education Program as it
relates to the perpetuation of remembrance is paramount in our efforts.
Getting our Youth Education programs included as part of the school
curriculum would ensure that the sacrifices of Veterans will never be
forgotten."
When no reply was received from Minister Wynne, a second letter was sent
January 15, 2009. To date, no reply has been received.
"If public speaking will no longer be allowed for participation by
students in the schools," says Haley, "then a written notice should be
sent to the Legion. We have given years of donations in times and
services to the young people and these should be taken into
consideration. Maybe I am too old, or not willing to accept modern
education but, I believe we all have the very best tool to enhance our
lives, the brain. So, I only have one question when it comes to ending
this program ... Why?"
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