Mountain View School Division may be bringing back a practice that hasn't been observed in roughly 25 years.
According to the Public Schools Act, the first verse of "God Save the King" must be sung daily, a rule that has been addressed and ignored previously.
MVSD Board chair Jason Gryba notes that "this longstanding regulation had not been consistently followed across Manitoba schools in recent years" and that such legislation "is not a matter of debate; it is our duty as trustees to enforce the law. "
Jarri Thompson, a recently elected MVSD board member, notes the move was not made collectively as a board. She's expressed uncertainty about its relevance in the modern school system.
"I've looked into it, and there's really no literature as to why it's been disconnected to the schools. I would assume it's because the monarchy is largely symbolic at this point in our nation, but I know the reason that I would prefer to not use it in our schools."
Thompson suggests the reinforcement of this rule clashes with efforts of reconciliation, and would provide a discordant contrast presented next to treaty land acknowledgments.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has responded, stating that he would respect the school board's autonomy but that his government is considering changing the regulation.