Living Conditions within the Residential Schools Free Essay Example, 1500 words

The purpose of the establishment of residential schools was to eradicate every aspect of the Aboriginal culture. Within the system, students hairs remained short and were dressed in uniforms while their days were strictly controlled by timetables. Boys and girls never interacted as the staff ensured rare interaction among siblings thus weakening family ties. According to Chief Bobby Joseph, an alumnus of the system claims he lacked the idea of interacting with girls and even never got an opportunity to discern his own sister (Haig-Brown 37). The only chance they had was to wave to the girls while in the dining hall. Consequently, speaking in native languages was strictly forbidden despite the kids not knowing one another or even the Aboriginal traditions and customs. In case one disobeyed the rules, he or she became prone to severe punishment. Students in the residential school system received a different education system compared to that in the public schools. Moreover, such school s remained underfunded with training primarily focusing on practical skills. The staff trained girls on domestic chores such as laundry, and on how to cook, sew, and clean (Manitoba 45). We will write a custom essay sample on Living Conditions within the Residential Schools or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Within the residential school system, the students worked involuntarily and without pay. The work was designed as part of the training, but the school could not operate without the free services of the students. Since they spent little time in class, most of the time is spent working thus many students turned 18 years while still in grade five. At this stage, the schools force the Aboriginal students to leave the school and discourage them never to proceed with education (Manitoba 47). Consequently, the kids experienced pervasive emotional, physical, sexual, and psychological abuse while in the school system. For instance, some students had needles shoved into their tongues for communicating in their mother tongue.