Free Speaking Student Should Be Honored

An excellent LTE published in the National Post regarding Kieran King's fight tohave his voice heard:

Canada: PUB LTE: Student Role Model
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n722/a06.html
Newshawk: CMAP http://www.mapinc.org/cmap
Rate this article Votes: 0
Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jun 2007
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2007 Southam Inc.
Contact: letters@nationalpost.com
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Kieran+King (Kieran King)
Author: Kenneth Tupper

STUDENT ROLE MODEL

Re: School Suspends Teen After Drug-linked Protest, June 14.

The core question raised by the case of the Saskatchewan student suspended for telling the truth about cannabis, contrary to drug-war orthodoxy, is whether public schools are institutions for education or indoctrination. Education encourages students to think for themselves, even if it means challenging received wisdom; indoctrination demands students unquestioningly accept the dogma of authorities.

In this case, sadly, it seems clear that Wawota Parkland School feels it is in the business of indoctrination. Kieran King deserves an apology ( and a scholarship ) for speaking truth to power. He has demonstrated the kind of integrity, courage and leadership Canadian schools should be rewarding, not punishing.

Kenneth Tupper, PhD student, Department of Educational Studies, University of British Columbia, Victoria.

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Other media references to Kieran are recordedat mapinc.org.