An empty hallway is seen at McGee Secondary school in Vancouver, on Sept. 5, 2014. Jewish organizations say the British Columbia Teachers' Federation has denied recognition to the Holocaust and Antisemitism Educators Association for the development and funding of teaching resources. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
VANCOUVER - Jewish groups report that the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) has refused to recognize a Holocaust education group as a specialist organization, making it ineligible for union funding as an educational resource.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued a joint statement revealing that the BCTF denied specialist status to the Holocaust and Antisemitism Educators Association.
The association was formed in response to the B.C. government's decision last year to make Holocaust education a mandatory part of the school curriculum.
At a separate press event on Wednesday, Premier David Eby did not comment on the issue directly but stressed the importance of Holocaust education. He stated that it is crucial for high school graduates to learn about the Holocaust and the Nazi genocide of six million Jews during World War II.
Eyal Daniel, president of the Holocaust and Antisemitism Educators Association, expressed shock at the BCTF's decision and hopes the union will reconsider.
Nico Slobinsky, vice-president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, mentioned that the association had met all the necessary criteria for recognition by the union. He noted that it is unprecedented for a specialist association to be rejected.
