The principal has two broad duties in respect of human rights: to act in accordance with the OHRC and board policies and, to ensure that those s/he supervises also conform to these obligations, which pertain to behaviour, curriculum and teaching activities. To carry out the duties effectively, the principal should, at minimum, carry out the following tasks with respect to students, staff and community:
- educate about human rights
- respond appropriately, at the direction of the board, to human rights violations (discipline, responsive programming, sanctions)
- ensure staff model appropriate behaviour
- report institutional barriers/non-conforming practices to board.
- Duty to Accommodate The board has a duty to accommodate a disabled student to the point of “undue hardship.” This is a high standard that requires the board to demonstrate that it has exhausted all reasonable accommodations. There has been a considerable amount of litigation against school boards addressing their duty to accommodate disabled students. As a result, it is best to consult with trained board personnel and/or board legal counsel, who will direct the extent and nature of the student accommodations. The principal’s responsibility is to report regularly to the board on the effectiveness of the accommodation and the impact on the needs of others in the school community.
- Allegations of Discrimination/Harassment If a student or employee is in contravention of the policy, the principal will have a duty to investigate, report and carry out the appropriate discipline. In the case of alleged misconduct or harassment by employees or volunteers towards a student, follow the board’s policies and procedures. These may include procedures with titles such as “Alleged Employee Misconduct Toward a Student” and “Alleged Harassment.”
- Be Pro-active
- Know relevant board policies; in-service staff.
- Ensure appropriateness of all teaching materials.
- Use common sense, “read” the community.
- When dealing with a situation of alleged misconduct or harassment, consult your supervisory officer and/or the Ontario Principals’ Council.
Further Reading
Tymochenko, N. (2001). Advice to educators: Custody, access, and the school. Orbit,
OISE/UT a Magazine for Schools, Vol. 32, November 2001.
Principals and safe schools, reporting child abuse: Your legal responsibility. OPC Professional Advice article (www.principals.ca)