The Canadian Jewish Congress today asked the school authorities in Hempstead–a suburb of Montreal–to clarify their policy with regard to the education of Jewish children. The request was made in connection with published charges that the children of more than 400 Jewish residents of Hempstead are refused admission to the local Protestant elementary schools.
The school authorities have refused to comment on the charges which were made by the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations. The Federation also charged that although over 80 percent of the pupils of Outermost Protestant schools are Jewish, there are no Jewish teachers in those schools.
Saul Hayes, executive director of the Canadian Jewish Congress said that his organization is seriously concerned with the problem of the alleged policy of the Protestant School authorities of Hempstead in refusing to admit Jewish children resident in that area. “The position of the Canadian Jewish Congress is simply that every child in this Province has basic right under our democratic system to general education. Indeed, provincial legislation makes such education compulsory. We will resist any attempt to deprive Jewish children from their right, “he stated.
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