The Ontario government released its revised elementary Health and Physical Education curriculum this morning following the province's largest consultation on education,
It is now available online, along with a parent-friendly resource on what children will learn in each grade.
Read the new curriculum here.
The Province says the curriculum for Grades 1-8 will make Ontario a leader in teaching students about:
- Mental Health, including Social-Emotional Learning Skills
- Concussions
- The effects and risks of vaping, and cannabis
- Cybersafety, including bullying prevention and digital privacy
- Healthy body image
- Healthy relationships, including consent
The subject of consent and sexual orientation is sure to dominate public discussion and will be introduced to students a year earlier.
But discussions about gender identity will be put off two years until Grade 8.
It appears to be a stepping back of Premier Doug Ford's election promise to get back to the old 1998 curriculum.
According to a news release, "It responds to the realities affecting students' lives today. That's why it includes new learning about vaping, the effects and risks of cannabis, body image, concussions, respect for diversity (including sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression), consent, online safety and bullying prevention."
The government has also released The 2019 Addendum to The Kindergarten Program, focused on concussion prevention and online safety. It will be available for implementation starting in September 2019.
"This modernization will keep kids safe in and outside of the classroom," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. "Ontario is a leader in critical areas including mental health, cyber safety, and consent, underscoring our commitment to building an education system that prioritizes inclusion, safety, and respect."
The province is also partnering with School Mental Health Ontario to enhance learning about mental health in the curriculum.
The ministry will release online resources for parents who may want to introduce specific topics at home whenever their child is ready. These resources will be available in the 2019-20 school year. More information will be provided at a later date.
The government has issued a policy/program memorandum that requires boards to develop a policy/procedure allowing parents to exempt their child from instruction of the sexual health education component of the elementary Health and Physical Education curriculum.
