A Canadian high school has had an apparent change of heart and cleared a teacher to accompany his 90-year-old father to the Netherlands to mark 70 years since the end of World War II.

Art Boon, who is 90, was a young soldier when the Netherlands was liberated from the Nazis and was invited by the Friesland provincial council to join the celebrations which run until May 10.

Art’s son Rick has accompanied him to other ceremonies in the past, but the school where he teaches refused to grant him time off for this year’s event, saying it had supported him sufficiently in the past.

Now, after wide protests and a petition, the board has said it will not change its position on granting Rick Boon leave of absence but that he won’t ‘be directed to attend work next week.’

‘If Mr. Boon chooses to go to the Netherlands, we will sort out the legalities on his return. It should be clearly understood that Mr. Boon will not face any disciplinary action from the board,’ director of education Ted Doherty said in a statement.

Art Boon told the Beacon Herald this trip will be about a lot more than raising a glass. There will be parades and ceremonies and visits to cemeteries hosted by a welcoming and grateful Dutch government and people, he said.

‘I presume this will likely be the last large one they do. Five years from now everyone will be 95 to 100 years old,’ he said.