Leaked documents on Alberta curriculum review raising questions
Posted October 21, 2020 12:01 pm.
Last Updated October 21, 2020 4:24 pm.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Leaked documents are giving some insight into how the province may approach curriculum review for K-12 education.
The CBC has released some drafts and the UCP’s approach on topics like Indigenous history and religion is raising eyebrows.
The proposed changes include children in the first grade memorizing Bible verses about creation, changing how Indigenous stories are told and having five- and six-year-olds learn the works of artists like Georgia O’Keefe and Picasso.
The leaked documents state that residential schools should not be taught about until after grade four due to the traumatic nature of the topic and lessons on equity are politically charged and should be avoided.
WATCH: Curriculum review controversy
The UCP government has faced criticism for its curriculum review plan, which took the place of an NDP review launched several years ago.
Some members on the review panel have also been called out for controversial views about subjects such as residential schools.
A spokesperson for the education minister said these are only recommendations and the province hasn’t made any decisions on the curriculum.
The minister herself responded to the leaked documents Wednesday afternoon, reiterating the docs are just a draft right now and are still being worked on.
Responding to leaked curriculum documents, Education Minister @AdrianaLaGrange says learning about truth and reconciliation is "non-negotiable" in her department–saying shes committed. Adding the documents are only a draft and still being worked on. #AbLeg #abed #Yeg #yyc pic.twitter.com/E5VQlIWDck
— Darce Vader (@darcyropchan) October 21, 2020
Adriana LaGrange also told reporters at the Alberta Legislature that learning about truth and reconciliation is “non-negotiable” and she is committed to keeping it in the curriculum.
That decision will ultimately come down to thousands of teachers to review and approve a new curriculum with the initial implementation set for 2021.
