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Wooden shoes, wooden pencils, and the wooden cross : a comparison of ethnic diversity in three British Columbia Christian schools

University of British Columbia

There are many unanswered questions concerning the nature of post-World War II Dutch Calvinist immigration to British Columbia and how it led to the establishment, growth, and evolution of Christian Reformed Schools in the Society of Christian Schools in British Columbia (SCSBC). The prevailing belief that post-war Dutch Calvinist immigrants assimilated rapidly into Canadian society makes it seem perplexing that there is still support for independent Christian Reformed Schools. Even more interesting is the fact that not only are these denominationally-specific schools surviving but presently are part of a consistently growing independent Christian school movement in British Columbia. One of the possible reasons Calvinist Christian Schools have stood the test of time is that it has become attractive alternatives for ethnic minorities outside of the Dutch Calvinist religion and culture. Schools in Richmond and Vancouver, especially, have experienced a student population that has a growing Asian ethnic component. Given these current multicultural realities in British Columbia society, many questions can be asked concerning the effect of ethnic diversity on the past, present, and future evolution of Christian schools started in the Dutch-Calvinist tradition. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to investigate how Christian Schools of Dutch Calvinist origin are currently experiencing and responding to ethnic diversity. The answer to this question should provide a valuable perspective for educators within Christian schools and also prove informative for governments evaluating whether the 18-year tradition of funding independent Christian schools should increase or continue at present levels.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-03-20

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6307

Education

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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