Letter says stick to new sex-ed plan
By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express
The Durham District School Board (DDSB) has sent a strongly worded letter telling all teachers that they have to teach the new sex-ed curriculum, because there is no way they can protect them if they don’t.
Premier Doug Ford and the Conservatives have succeeded in dismantling the sex-ed curriculum that was put in place by the Liberals in 2015, and have instead – for the time being – replaced it with the curriculum from 1998.
Numerous teacher unions and organizations have criticized the changes to the curriculum, and some teachers claimed they would not teach it.
However, the letter from the board sent to teachers reads “the [DDSB] strongly recommends that staff follow the approved curriculum from the ministry. We are concerned that teachers who do not may be placing their careers in jeopardy.”
According to the letter, school boards do not have the power to intervene in an investigation being performed by the Ontario College of Teachers.
“School boards have a legal obligation to follow directives from the Ontario Ministry of Education,” reads the letter. “The government has indicated that staff who do not follow the curriculum will be referred to the Ontario College of Teachers.”
Some topics that teachers are still allowed to teach their students include: mental health, body image, substance abuse, violence, harassment, child abuse, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.
These topics will continue to be taught and “discussed within an open, caring, sensitive way and in an atmosphere of mutual respect.”
The letter also points out that teachers can still have an influence on their students with what are called “teachable moments.”
“While many important topics remain, there may be other areas that are no longer reflected in the curriculum,” reads the report. Because of this, the education Centre staff is working on support resources for teachers.
School board officials did not respond to The Oshawa Express’ request for comment on the letter.