The Ford government's new sex ed curriculum has been released online and it includes many of the same lessons that were part of the Liberals' curriculum. One of the more controversial topics has been shifted from grade six to grade eight. That's when students will learn about gender identity and gender expression. The new curriculum will be taught in the coming school year, though much of it isn't taught until the second half of the year. The Ford government campaigned on repealing the sex-ed curriculum and holding extensive consultations with parents before a new curriculum was drafted.
In the interim, it was replaced with the curriculum which caused protests and uproar, even court challenges which were dismissed. Former Premier Kathleen Wynne says she's 'glad' that what's in the Ford government's new sex education program is mostly the same as what her Liberal government introduced.
The Ontario New Democrats' Education Critic says she has concerns about lessons on gender identity being pushed back two years. MPP Marit Stiles adds that given the lesson plan is so similar to the old one, the exercise of replacing it was a waste of time and money. In some cases, those lessons are taught when students are older. In grade one, students will begin to learn the proper names of their body parts.
By grade five, students will learn about sexual orientation. School boards will be required to give parents a chance to opt out. She accuses Premier Doug Ford of lying about his promise to repeal the program completely. Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce defends the revamped lesson plan.
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