Delmore "Buddy" Daye Institute Will Benefit African Nova Scotian Students
The province is investing $2.2 million in a permanent home for the Delmore "Buddy" Daye Africentric Learning Institute, which will provide more support and resources for students of African descent.
The institute will conduct research, work with educators and community members, and develop policy, curriculum and resources with a focus on African heritage and culture.
"The Delmore 'Buddy' Daye Africentric Learning Institute is the first of its kind in Canada," said Education Minister Ramona Jennex. "We are very proud to be a partner in this groundbreaking project and we look forward to the benefits it will bring for our students, our educators and our communities."
The institute is named after the late Mr. Daye, who was the first African Nova Scotian to serve as sergeant-at-arms and played an important role in the formation of the Black Learners Advisory Committee.
The committee's report of 1994 recommended creating a Council on African Canadian Education and establishing an Africentric institute to support African Nova Scotian students. In 1996, the council recommended naming the institute for Mr. Daye.
"Mr. Daye was passionate about improving education for students of African descent, and this institute will put more Africentric resources in the hands of teachers and students," said Ms. Jennex. "It will empower students through learning, and it will make a real difference not just for African Nova Scotian students, but for all students."
The institute's new board was formally appointed this month, fulfilling one of the province's commitments in response to the Reality Check Report in 2009, a followup to recommendations by the Black Learners Advisory Committee. The new board will work to secure a location for a facility. Mr. Daye will be formally recognized once a site for the institute is chosen.
The institute also supports the province's commitment in the Kids and Learning First plan to build more Africentric content into school curriculum.