The Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Wiarton is not pleased Peninsula Shores District School will no longer be participating in the public speaking contest sponsored by the branch.
Education Officer Art Haley says the principal told him participation was no longer possible because it didn’t fit into the curriculum and there wasn’t time.
Haley, a World War Two veteran, says the legion’s provincial command was notified, and they wrote Education Minister Kathleen Wynne, and received no reply.
The legion would like to meet with the minister and discuss placing the program directly in the curriculum as a way of encouraging remembrance and respect for veterans.
Bluewater District School Board Chair Jennifer Yenssen says time constraints can prevent from schools from getting involved in things like public speaking.
Yenssen is very surprised to hear about the situation at Peninsula Shores and says public speaking is still quite active at other local schools.
Yenssen says she often judges public speaking competitions in the Brockton-South Bruce area that she represents.
Students at Peninsula Shores could still participate in the legion public speaking program, but would have to do so on their own time, similar to the annual Remembrance Day Poster Contest.
Arthur Hailey is hopeful the board will consider making the legion’s public speaking program part of the curriculum in all Bluewater schools.