Alberta’s government has announced plans to introduce legislation this fall that would require schools to obtain parental consent before providing sex education to students.
The proposed legislation, which was announced by Education Minister Adriana LaGrange, aims to give parents more control over what their children are taught in the classroom. It would require schools to obtain written consent from parents before providing any instruction related to human sexuality, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
According to LaGrange, the legislation is in response to concerns raised by parents about the current sex education curriculum, which was implemented by the previous government in 2016. She stated that the new legislation would ensure that parents have a say in what their children are taught and that the curriculum aligns with their values and beliefs.
The announcement has sparked debate among educators, parents, and advocacy groups. Some argue that the legislation would limit students’ access to important information and could perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination. Others believe that parents should have the final say in what their children are taught about sensitive topics.
The proposed legislation would also require schools to provide parents with a detailed outline of the curriculum and any resources used in sex education classes. It would also allow parents to opt their children out of specific lessons or the entire curriculum if they choose to do so.
The government has stated that the legislation would not affect the current curriculum for the 2021-2022 school year, as schools have already begun planning for the upcoming year. However, it is expected to be implemented for the 2022-2023 school year.
In the meantime, the government has launched an online survey to gather feedback from parents, educators, and other stakeholders on the proposed legislation. The survey will be open until September 30, 2021.
The introduction of this legislation is just the latest development in the ongoing debate over sex education in Alberta’s schools. It remains to be seen how the legislation will be received and what impact it will have on students, parents, and educators.
