CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sensitive topics such as suicide and abuse.
A group of approximately twenty former students of Robert Land Academy assembled at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Thursday to advocate for improved oversight of private schools in Ontario, following allegations of abuse at the now-closed institution.
The demand for regulatory changes follows a recent CBC News investigation that uncovered claims of historical physical and emotional mistreatment, including allegations of sexual exploitation at the Wellandport-based school.
Investigations revealed that certain instructors at Robert Land had criminal records during their tenure in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Speaking at a press briefing, Chandra Pasma, a member of the provincial parliament and the education critic for the NDP, emphasized the urgency of preventing institutional abuse under the guise of education.
VIEW | MPP supports enhanced regulation of private schools in Ontario:
At Queen’s Park Thursday, the education critic says she’s preparing a private member’s bill to introduce this fall. If passed, it would require private school staff to pass vulnerable sector checks.
Advocating for Government Oversight of Private Schools in Ontario
Former students are highlighting their personal ordeals to underscore the necessity for enhanced government oversight of private school operations in Ontario.
Unlike in public schools, private school staff are not mandated to undergo comprehensive vulnerable sector background checks that would reveal prior criminal charges.
Robert Land Academy ceased operations in June and filed for bankruptcy, while 120 ex-students have initiated legal actions to address the alleged abuse they claim to have endured predominantly in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, extending into the 2010s.
It should be noted that these accusations have not been adjudicated in court.
Among these individuals is Jarett Holmes, who, along with his sibling, Evan, attended Robert Land in 1999 at the age of 14. They previously disclosed to CBC that they were forbidden from communicating with each other, subjected to physical abuse and forced labor, and penalized for attempting to contact their parents about their mistreatment.
“Stringent measures must be implemented for individuals working with children, especially vulnerable youth,” remarked Jarett. “This should never have occurred. To the NDPs, Liberals, and Progressive Conservatives, please heed this. This is beyond politics; it concerns the safety of children.”
Jarett mentioned that former students have tried to arrange a meeting with Education Minister Paul Calandra