Spirit & Flesh

Burning to teach, Jim Babinetz, 19, of Trafalgar, Ont., enrolled last month at suburban Toronto's Long Branch Teachers College. Last week Jim was dropped from school. The reason: "Gross obesity." His record as a star four-sport athlete in high school was no defense. Though 6 ft. tall, he weighed 278 Ibs., had a 44-in. waist, 51 -in. hips when he entered college. Explained an official: "He wouldn't make a good teacher. Obesity in teachers has a bad effect on children. There must be a limit to the size of teachers."

The edict blew up a storm all over Canada. Snapped the Toronto Telegram: "The idea that 'fat teachers aren't good teachers' is absolutely ridiculous. It smacks of sweeping generalization, always a bad habit, and dictates an inseparable link between appearance and intellect that does not exist." Mounting a crusade for Jim Babinetz, the Telegram interviewed Teacher Hilliard Anderson of Humber-crest public school, who happens to weigh 325 Ibs. Said he: "My size commands authority." The rival Toronto Star took a different tack. Since Jim is now eager to shed 60-80 Ibs., the Star hired a specialist to slim Jim, promised readers daily reports. Already Jim is down to 265 Ibs., aims to level off at 198.

The fuss was embarrassing to Ontario's Education Minister William Dunlop. His own engineering specifications: about 5 ft. 6 in., more than 210 Ibs. Did he agree that a fat teacher is a bad teacher? With citizens clamoring for an answer, Dunlop took cover in the explanation that obesity is dangerous, busied himself with plans to reduce Jim Babinetz and get him back into teachers college. Said chubby Minister Dunlop: "It's purely a health matter."

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