THUNDER BAY -- Lakehead Public Schools' director of education is slamming the province's decision to return to the 1998 sex-education curriculum, saying it is out-of-date and out-of-touch.
Ian MacRae sent a letter to Education Minister Lisa Thompson, which was shared with local media.
"Lakehead Public Schools believes strongly in equity and inclusion and we have woven these beliefs into our strategic plan. The 1998 Health and Physical Education Curriculum is not reflective of the realities of the current issues facing our students including sexual orientation, gender identity, consent and Internet safety," MacRae writes.
According to MacRae, the revised curriculum that has been presented to students in Ontario since 2015 is consistent with providing information that is crucial to their wellbeing in schools today.
"This is a very different reality for those of us that were around in 1998 and are familiar with schools back then in comparison to what goes on now in schools, it’s a very different world for students," he said in an interview with Tbnewswatch.com. "It’s pretty tough for students growing up today."
In the letter, MacRae went on to say the board supports the position taken by the Ontario Public School Boards' Association.
"Lakehead Public Schools will continue to be guided to our commitment to equity and inclusion and our responsibilities under the Human Rights Code and Education Act to provide safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments for our students as we await further clarification from the Ministry of Education," he said.
MacRae said the Ministry has promised clarification in the near future as to what school boards can teach in the upcoming school year but he added that private conversations between students and teachers on issues not covered in the 1998 curriculum is not workable.
"We believe there has to be some further direction from the ministry and that we will be able to present the issues we feel are our responsibility under the Education Act or the Human Rights code," he said. "We will endeavour to provide students with information we believe they need to experience success in schools."
As to whether or not the Lakehead Public School Board will proceed with covering the revised curriculum this academic year, MacRae said that is not something that has been discussed with the School Board trustees.
"We believe the ministry has every right to set the curriculum, but we have every right to express our displeasure when we feel it is not in the best interest of our students," he said. "We feel reverting back to the 1998 curriculum is not a move forward."
