Re: “Trustee criticized for blog post,” Feb. 19; “School technology begins profound changes,” Feb. 19.

Oh, the irony in these two pieces being published on the same day and in the same newspaper. Deborah Nohr is censured by the Greater Victoria School Board for speaking out against the parent council stand on no Wi-Fi in elementary schools. At the same time, Geoff Johnson is championing the role of technology in making schools more relevant to student learning and especially the role it can play in making kids who learn “differently” feel success.

Currently, Wi-Fi isn’t permitted in elementary schools in Greater Victoria. Kids who learn differently flourish when they learn to be independent learners, using technology that other kids will envy, not ridicule.

My experience is with dyslexic grandchildren, one in a Victoria elementary school without Wi-Fi. The school is very supportive of her having whatever will normalize her reading and writing.

My understanding of the issues points not to the school, not to the district, but to this particular committee from the parent council. Teachers in various schools talk about perhaps one parent who is vehemently opposed to Wi-Fi in elementary schools and who is part of the parent council. This does not sound like democratic representation.

Nohr is probably fed up with this blockade. Schools need to focus on equipping all children with the tools for personal success and satisfaction. The board needs to give schools the opportunity to choose access to Wi-Fi as part of an informed school plan for learning.

Sandy Jaques

Victoria

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