Canada is a diverse country which is welcoming people from all across the world. Nowadays, if you go into a school, you will find students from different backgrounds. In schools, we can’t have teachers treating students in a biased manner. It goes totally against the beliefs of Canada as a diverse country. If there is more than one culture in almost every classroom, why should all the students have to conform to somebody else’s culture? With many students’ own cultures being negated here in schools, we can see that students are facing a loss of identity. This is primarily happening due to a lack of representation. It is leading to erasure of history, and lack of sensitivity.
Lack of Representation
When certain cultures are not represented or underrepresented in the curriculum, it can profoundly affect students who identify with those cultures. They may feel marginalized, undervalued, and disconnected from the education system. The absence of their culture from the curriculum can reinforce a sense of “otherness” and lead to feelings of isolation. Without representation, students may not have role models or mentors who share their cultural heritage. This can further exacerbate their sense of disconnection. Therefore, it is crucial for curriculum designers to include diverse perspectives and cultures in their educational materials to ensure that all students feel valued and connected to their cultural identities.
Erasure of History
If this inclusion is not done through curriculum, a major problem will crop up which is an erasure of history. When certain cultures and histories are not included or are marginalized, it creates a distorted understanding of the world and perpetuates a Eurocentric or ethnocentric view. This can lead to feelings of exclusion, disengagement, and disempowerment among students whose cultures are not acknowledged or celebrated. To prevent the erasure of history, it is important to integrate multiple curriculums. If this is not done, many students will lose a sense of belonging to their ethnicities.
Lack of Sensitivity
Lastly, when a student’s culture isn’t properly represented in a curriculum, it can lead to a lack of awareness and sensitivity. Students from underrepresented cultures may feel invisible and undervalued, leading to feelings of low self-esteem and disinterest in the learning process. On the other hand, students from dominating cultures may adopt a condescending approach toward minority groups. Inclusion of diverse perspectives and histories in the curriculum, will not only make the classrooms more interesting but will also promote an awareness of the differences that have made humans such an interesting species.
Overall, cultural inclusion in the curriculum is essential for promoting a more accurate, nuanced, and empathetic understanding of the world. When a student’s culture is excluded or misrepresented in the curriculum, it can lead to various factors that can leave the students stranded in a void where they are unable to draw links with their origin and suffer a loss of identity. By making cultural inclusion a reality, Canada will see the development of a more inclusive and empathetic worldview. This is crucial for creating a more equitable and harmonious society where everyone is valued and respected. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize diversity and inclusivity in our educational systems. This will help students gain strength from their roots and find a firm ground in establishing their identity.
Writer : Vinny Singh
Grade : 10 (Year 2023)
Place : Calgary, Canada
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