Monitor, not preserve, children’s choice

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The Alberta government recently held a parent engagement session on the Premier’s new mandate: “Preserving Choice for Children.” Participants overwhelmingly opposed any of the proposed policies, but it was explicitly stated that this was not “within scope” for comment.

The session was nothing more than optical. The topics of discussion were superficial. Participation questions focused on communication with parents, appropriate resources, support for students and families, and meaningful participation in sport. There were no open questions for true investigation or discussion. It became clear that the proposed policy changes will be implemented whether we like it or not.

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This is horrible.

This so-called engagement session was an insult. We demand full transparency and clearly state that our participation in this session does not indicate validation of these policies.

Our perspectives reflect the serious concerns expressed by experts: these policy changes are dangerous and will harm children. There was not enough consultation with experts, parents and students before these policies were introduced at the whim of the Prime Minister. We firmly believe that these policies contravene Safe and Caring Schools policies and the Charter of Human Rights, and will put vulnerable young people at risk.

Schools and parents already have effective communication to opt out of sex education classes. The proposal to participate is highly problematic, with unintended risky consequences, such as an increase in teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and the risk of sexual assault. Public schools already use evidence-based resources for sex education classes, readily available to parents. Recently proposed policy changes are intended to restrict the kinds of education and resources needed for young people to make well-informed decisions.

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The proposed policy to exclude children from recreational sport on the basis of gender is appalling. How can recreational sport be inclusive, meaningful and engaging when children are excluded and stigmatized?

There is a recently proposed pilot project to mentor trans youth and families. We think this project amounts to saying, “We’re going to discriminate and stigmatize trans students, give them some counseling sessions, and hope it’s enough to prevent the serious outcomes predicted by the research.”

This engagement session was nothing more than the Prime Minister’s question: “How can we communicate to parents that their children will be excluded and stigmatized?” and “What resources should we provide parents to help them understand why their children will not be treated with dignity and respect?”

As we delved deeper into the surface issues, a number of overlapping ethical, logistical, human rights and justice issues became evident. We ponder the slippery slope of these proposed policies: “Where will all this lead? Censorship and book burning? Increase in discrimination, hate and sexual crimes?

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Believe us, the government is not going to be transparent about the concerns that parents expressed, just as they were not genuine about the new curriculum, which faced harsh and informed criticism from experts.

We firmly believe that parents need a voice to advocate for their children. This government eliminated that voice when it defunded the Alberta Association of School Boards, whose mandate is “to represent parents on the school board to collaborate with the Alberta Ministry of Education.”

If the government really cared about parents’ opinions, they should have collaborated with ASCA, not defunded it.

We are not concerned about creating more problems in education and society through unsolicited policy changes. We are very concerned that Alberta public schools are well-funded, well-resourced, and safe, inclusive spaces. We want our teachers to have good support and confidence. We want the curriculum to be well designed and approved by subject matter experts. We want public funding for qualified teacher librarians, teaching assistants and school counselors. We want collaborative partnerships in public schools. We want all children, teachers and parents to be treated with dignity and respect.

The Prime Minister’s proposed policy changes focus on policing, not preserving, children’s choices.

Scrap these policies.

Dr. Angela Grace, Calgary; Dustin Archibald, Grande Prairie; Sheri Christensen; Steven Kotschorek; Alyssa Lewis, Edmonton; Stephanie Lustig, Fort McMurray; Nancy Hunt; Robin Kyler Annie Rios, Fort McMurray

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