Should kids have the choice to opt out of remembrance day

[Degeso]

Interesting story coming out of Canada. Every November 11th, we celebrate Remembrance day (which is just like the United State's Veterans day) and this year the public school board in Edmonton AB is allowing students the choice in whether or not they attend ceremonies. Some are arguing that attendance should be compulsory, and that the freedom of choice should not be granted to these kids.

Here is the article if you want to read up on it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/08 ... 92499.html

Now, while I was in the Canadian Forces primary reserve for 3 years. I was a Corporal in the Infantry before I released. I was considering going on tour in Afghanistan and then reg forces before I decided to instead pursue a post-secondary education. I know damn well the sacrifices our men and women made overseas for us, and that is why I attend these ceremonies and support our veterans however we still live in a free country, and in our free country, people are granted rights, privileges and freedoms. We are not fascist, a dictatorship, or any other form of authoritarian government.

Adults have the right to do what they please on Remembrance day, as should children.

There are people on both sides of the debate and personally, to me there is something extremely ironic about a group of adults trumpeting the freedom veterans fought for overseas but arguing that high school students should not actively have the freedom/choice of attending Remembrance Day ceremonies. That attendance should be compulsory regardless.

Does anyone else see the irony in that, or is it just me? Also, thoughts on the entire debate?

[Divair]

Of course they should be able to opt out.

[SD_Film Artists]

If it's in the context of a school then no, they should go just as they'd go to any history lesson. Though if it's in the context of a national ceremony, then that's up to the parents- I don't see why they'd have a reason not to, but they shouldn't be forced to.

[Risottia]

It's not like "Attendance to Remembrance Day" is part of the educational curriculum.

[Saruhan]

No, I count it as part of civic education.

[Yewhohohopia]

Yes. It's dead people's baggage, let it fucking go.

[Zijeme]

Yeah.

[SD_Film Artists]

Yes. It's dead people's baggage, let it fucking go.

Well you're all charm and smiles...

[Saruhan]

Yes. It's dead people's baggage, let it fucking go.

"Sorry about your dad Timmy, but it's dead people's baggage, fucking get over it"

[Degeso]

No, I count it as part of civic education.

but the thing is, it is not a part of the education system. There are plenty of ways students can learn about the world wars and the sacrifices of our conscripted and non-conscripted troops, be it through written essays, research projects, presentations, and etc.

[Saruhan]

No, I count it as part of civic education.

but the thing is, it is not a part of the education system. There are plenty of ways students can learn about the world wars and the sacrifices of our conscripted and non-conscripted troops, be it through written essays, research projects, presentations, and etc.

And what better way to learn about it then an interactive event, say, some sort of ceremony that we should hold every year?

[SD_Film Artists]

No, I count it as part of civic education.

but the thing is, it is not a part of the education system. There are plenty of ways students can learn about the world wars and the sacrifices of our conscripted and non-conscripted troops, be it through written essays, research projects, presentations, and etc.

Battlefield tours and similar events can help to show that it's not just something on paper.

[Degeso]

but the thing is, it is not a part of the education system. There are plenty of ways students can learn about the world wars and the sacrifices of our conscripted and non-conscripted troops, be it through written essays, research projects, presentations, and etc.

And what better way to learn about it then an interactive event, say, some sort of ceremony that we should hold every year?

Oh and I agree with you, and that is why I would strongly urge that these students attend those ceremonies but I don't think it should be compulsory for the same reason I strongly urge people to vote but recognize that is a right of someone to do, and that they have the freedom in choosing whether or not to.

[Degeso]

but the thing is, it is not a part of the education system. There are plenty of ways students can learn about the world wars and the sacrifices of our conscripted and non-conscripted troops, be it through written essays, research projects, presentations, and etc.

Battlefield tours and similar events can help to show that it's not just something on paper.

Oh absolutely! Actually I've had the privilege of touring parts of France, Belgium and the Netherlands that were ravaged by war with my unit back in 2009. I also visited quite a few memorials across Europe, including the massive monument dedicated to Canada's fallen soldiers. It was a profoundly interesting experience and one I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

[Seperates]

Yes. You have the right to opt out. Perhaps they don't want to cry in public, or they have resignations about attending, or they just want to do something better with their time.

There is no reason to make it compulsory.

[SD_Film Artists]

Battlefield tours and similar events can help to show that it's not just something on paper.

Oh absolutely! Actually I've had the privilege of touring parts of France, Belgium and the Netherlands that were ravaged by war with my unit back in 2009. I also visited quite a few memorials across Europe, including the massive monument dedicated to Canada's fallen soldiers. It was a profoundly interesting experience and one I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

I can imagine.

I live in France for parts of the year and that has given me plenty of opportunities to see WW2 monuments.

[Saruhan]

And what better way to learn about it then an interactive event, say, some sort of ceremony that we should hold every year?

Oh and I agree with you, and that is why I would strongly urge that these students attend those ceremonies but I don't think it should be compulsory for the same reason I strongly urge people to vote but recognize that is a right of someone to do, and that they have the freedom in choosing whether or not to.

They have to go to school, this is a school event on school time, thus they should have to go to this assembly.

[Fionnuala_Saoirse]

Of course.

[Degeso]

Oh and I agree with you, and that is why I would strongly urge that these students attend those ceremonies but I don't think it should be compulsory for the same reason I strongly urge people to vote but recognize that is a right of someone to do, and that they have the freedom in choosing whether or not to.

They have to go to school, this is a school event on school time, thus they should have to go to this assembly.

but it is not a school event it is an event outside of school which schools routinely drag their students to. In the workplace, adults have the right of opting out of going and continuing with their work, and I feel children should have that same right.

[Voerdeland]

They shouldn't have a formal choice, but no one of the school staff should give a single fuck if the kids just go truant on that day.

[Ainin]

Lucky Albertans. In my schools (Quebec ), all they do every year is let a guy that reads at the speed of a legless turtle read "In Flanders Fields" over the PA.

[Fionnuala_Saoirse]

No, I count it as part of civic education.

That's some mighty biased education you're into.

[Great Nepal]

Yes, they should.
Last time I checked, "attendance of remembrance day" is not part of any reasonable educational curriculum.

[Voerdeland]

No, I count it as part of civic education.

That's some mighty biased education you're into.

Civic education usually includes some form of patriotic indoctrination. Whether it's good or not is a different story...

[Slarvainian]

They should have to go. It’s the least some people can do to at least go for an hour a year and remember the millions that have sacrificed their lives so these kids can have the opportunity to go to school or have I phone 5 in their pocket . The only thing though that I can say is that sometimes schools don’t do a Remembrance Day ceremony justice.