Ontario reveals revisions to sex ed curriculum
The Government of Ontario announced plans to revise their existing sexual education curriculums on Monday, Feb. 23. The revision marks the first major update since 1998, and the curriculum now includes lesson on everything from sexting to consent, masturbation, and anal sex.
“Ontario elementary schools strive to support high-quality learning while giving every student the opportunity to learn in the way that is best suited to his or her individual strengths and needs,” explained an excerpt from the health and physical education packet for grades one through eight.
Students will begin to learn the new curriculum in the first grade, with new information taught to students each year until the final year of secondary school.
While much of the content from grades one through three are similar to that of the old curriculum, students in grade four and onwards are expected to learn the new curriculum, which features discussions of personal and private space, as well as anonymity online.
“Today, we live in a digital and interconnected world where information is literally at our fingertips around the clock,” said Minister of Education Liz Sandals in a news conference at Queens Park on Feb. 23. “Students have instant access to quite explicit information from unreliable, inaccurate, and often offensive sources. This is why it’s so important to ensure that our children have the right information.”
The curriculum revisions come almost five years after delays – as a result of pressure from religious groups – prevented Sandals from revising lesson plans.
“I was disappointed [the revisions] didn’t happen,” said Sandals. “But you can rest assured that I will make sure [they happen] now.”
The new curriculum will take effect in September, 2015. The revised policy was released and published online, and any interested parties can access the curriculum by visiting the Government of Ontario website.
-Compiled by Sameer Chhabra