With consultations on Alberta Education’s curriculum review set to begin this fall the political rhetoric is well underway.
MP Jason Kenney, who has now announced he will make a run for the Alberta Progressive Conservatives leadership, called the curriculum review an attempt by the NDP to engage in “social engineering.”
To some, Kenney’s comment comes across as politically inflammatory and little more than an effort to use fear to turn the tide of opinion against the NDP government.
For others, the comment rings true and represents a legitimate concern regarding the values our students might be learning in the classroom, especially if those do not jive with family values.
Dave Morris, associate superintendent of learning with Rocky View Schools, said it best when he told the Eagle last week that politicians should stay out of the classroom.
Whether it is right wing parties, or the left wing NDP, whose government has initiated the review, Morris’ comment should be a guiding principle during the development period.
Schools should be places that teach not only the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy, but also the tools to create critical independent thinkers.
Education Minister David Eggen told the Eagle last week that is indeed the goal of the curriculum reform.
If that goal is to be met, it is essential that the curriculum and teaching tools be geared toward objectivity. That does not necessarily mean classes be sanitized of all political bias, but those biases – whether left or right – should be represented equally. If that happens, it creates an environment for healthy discussion and debate and allows students to formulate their own conclusions and opinions based on actual research.
It also might begin to cure the polarized nature of discussion in our society where people seem more and more incapable of tolerating differing points of view.
Political concerns aside, parts of Alberta’s curriculum are severely outdated and if we are to maintain the edge this province has a reputation for when it comes to education, it needs to be updated.
Incorporating technology more into the classroom, teaching skills such financial literacy and environmental stewardship will position students well for not only post-secondary education but the jobs of tomorrow.
Eggen said the curriculum change will be done in consultation with a variety of groups, including provincial educators. If those who help develop the changes that will encompass all grade levels share Morris’ belief that schools should be free of political interference, that will hopefully allay fears of possible indoctrination.
In the end we all should be aiming for the same outcome, youth who are well educated, able to think intelligently for themselves, are self-sufficient and who are prepared to become contributing members of society.
