Advocates defend alternative school

TORONTO, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Parents and teachers pushing for an Afro-centric school in Toronto defended the academic concept, which has come under criticism, a report said.

Authors of the alternative school proposal, Donna Harrow and Angela Wilson, appeared at Queen's Park Friday to defend their plan against detractors who claim it would cause a negative racial separation of students, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported Saturday.

Advocates reportedly argued that the institution would provide a cohesive and constructive environment for students otherwise uninterested in school.

"There's a recognition by the board that different children benefit from varied curricula, varied learning styles, varied pedagogical approaches," associate professor at Ryerson University Grace-Edward Galabuzi said.