PACE founder Dr. Mavis Burke contributed significantly in the educational field

July 21, 2022

At an event in Toronto in 1987 to celebrate Jamaica’s 25th independence anniversary, then Prime Minister Edward Seaga challenged nationals in Canada to increase support for their birth country, particularly in the field of education.

That part of the speech resonated with Kittitian-born historian Dr. Sheldon Taylor who was in the audience and pursuing graduate studies at the time.

At home a few hours later, he wrote a letter on his Underwood Typewriter and mailed it to Dr. Mavis Burke.

“When education was mentioned, she was the first person I thought of,” said Taylor. “In the letter, I told her what I heard and she responded by calling a meeting.”

Out of that get-together emerged Women for PACE (Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education) that later became PACE Canada.

In the last 35 years, the organization has adopted nearly 350 Basic Schools in Jamaica from St. Mary’s in the north to Clarendon in the south and Portland in the east to Hanover in the west, and contributed thousands of dollars to help prepare kids between the ages of two and five for higher education.

Burke, PACE’s architect and first President, passed away on July 7 in Toronto. She was 93.

“She cared deeply about her community and was well connected,” said Taylor who was a member of PACE’s ad hoc committee. “There was a time when I and a few other community members were trying to get some money for a conference and, very quietly, she brought back $25,000 to us. She worked profusely in her community and was one of the unsung heroes.”

Dr. Mavis Burke joined then PACE Vice-President Beverley Thompson (l) and Jamaica Consul General in Toronto George Ramocan in presenting the Founders award to Edward Seaga in 2010 (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

For a dollar a day, individuals or groups can participate in PACE’s adopt-a-school program. The annual $365 donation is sent to the sponsored school where the principal, community leaders and parents determine how the funds should be utilized.

“In forming PACE, Dr. Burke brought people from all walks of life together with a simple, yet brilliant approach,” said  Mary Anne Chambers who was PACE’s President from 2010 to 2014.

“It has resulted in thousands of young children in hundreds of schools having access to certified teachers, educational aids from workbooks to playground equipment, healthy meals and a range of other opportunities, all providing the foundation required for greater success in life. As a consummate educator, hers was a life truly dedicated to the enrichment of the lives of others. The impact of her tremendous legacy continues to be felt by generations.”

Born in Cuba to Jamaican parents, Burke taught at Kingston College and the University College of the West Indies that became the University of the West Indies (UWI) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958 and a Diploma in Education in 1962.

While at UWI, she met Helen Sissons who served in the region with Canadian Teachers Federation Project Overseas.

In 1970, Burke – who completed her Master of Arts degree at the University of London five years earlier -- came to Canada on a research contract for her doctoral thesis in education that was completed five years later at the University of Ottawa.

In the nation’s capital, she was an Education and International Development Consultant for a private professional firm before coming to Toronto to assume the post of Special Consultant for the then Toronto Board of Education.

“Prior to amalgamation, Mavis did a lot of work in the curriculum area,” said Lloyd McKell who spent 35 years in public education with the Toronto District School Board before retiring 11 years ago as Executive Officer responsible for Student & Community Equity. “She was well respected among educators in the Board because she viewed curriculum as a holistic approach to teaching and learning. She was a very important resource not only for administrators, but people in the field like curriculum consultants.”

Dr. Mavis Burke (l) presented the first PACE Founders Award to Dr. Anna Jarvis in June 2004 (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

As an educator, Burke pioneered the idea that newcomers’ seamless assimilation in Canada required an understanding that children from other countries were present and highly visible in urban Canada classrooms and teachers had to adapt to meet their needs.

To reinforce the importance of curriculum delivery relevance, the former Education Officer with the provincial Ministry of Education led a group of Canadian education administrators on a ‘see for yourself’ mission to Jamaica in 1976.

Burke played a key role in the establishment of the Multicultural Youth Leadership program that many Ontario school boards adopted and assisted with the production of the Ministry’s Guide to Black Studies.

Former school board Superintendent Dr. Avis Glaze said Burke was a trendsetter on equity and inclusion.

“She also was an outstanding leader and mentor who paved the way for so many of us to follow,” she added.

Between 1981 and 1984, Burke was seconded to act as Chair of the Ontario Advisory Council on Multiculturalism and Citizenship where she co-ordinated and directed analysis of legislation, policy and programs undertaken by the government’s advisory agency as well as steering the group towards a more regional focus.

She also served as Chair of the Ontario Social Assistance Review Board, in an advisory role with the Ontario Women’s Directorate and was a member of several Boards, including the Couchicing Institute on Public Affairs, the Family Service Association of Toronto and the Overseas Book Centre.

Dr. Mavis Burke and late human rights leader and community advocate Bromley Armstrong (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

Burke authored several important education publications, including ‘An Analysis of Canadian Educational Assistance to the Commonwealth Caribbean Leeward & Windward Islands 1960-1970’ which was her doctoral thesis and ‘Childhood’s Early Promise: Keeping PACE 1987-2007’.

In 1982, she represented Canada at a United Nations Education, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) planning conference in education in Finland.

For Burke’s significant contributions, she was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2000, the Jamaica Order of Distinction (Officer Class) four years later and the 2001 Friends of L. Ron Hubbard Humanitarian Award for Lifetime Achievement.

In June 2017, she was the recipient of the Prime Minister of Jamaica Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education.