Definition of the word separate school

The term "separate school" can be traced back to the late 19th century in Canada, specifically in the province of Ontario. At the time, Catholicism was a minority religion, and many Catholics believed that their children should be taught their faith in schools separate from Protestant-majority public schools. The push for separate schools gained momentum after the passage of the Education Act in 1871 in Ontario, which required all children between the ages of 7 and 14 to attend school. Catholics argued that their religious values were not being adequately taught in the public schools, and they petitioned the government to fund separate Catholic schools. In response, the Catholic separate school system was established in 1877, with funds from the government and the Catholic Church. This system allowed Catholic children to receive a Catholic education that integrated their faith with academic subjects, like science and math. The term "separate school" refers to these Catholic schools, which were "separate" from the publicly-funded schools that followed the Protestant faith. Today, separate schools continue to operate in several Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Overall, the term "separate school" serves as a historical reminder of the efforts to preserve religious ministries in education and the ongoing importance of ensuring religious freedom in education.