Back to school with old sex-ed curriculum

School boards will be given resources to teach the old sex-ed curriculum the province expects them to use this fall, says Education Minister Lisa Thompson.

Created in 1998, and in use until 2014, the outdated curriculum is to be reintroduced to schools in September as the government holds public consultations. During the election campaign, the Progressive Conservatives promised to consult with Ontarians about the sexed curriculum.

However, the province has faced criticism from at least 25 school boards — as well as educators and health organizations — who say the lessons aren’t appropriate two decades later, and don’t mention same-sex families, gender, consent issues or cyberbullying.

“There are (professional development) days scheduled in late August, so we will be working with school boards,” Thompson also said. “I have every confidence that teachers will be using the 2014 curriculum to best support our students in health and physical education.”

However, school-year calendars vary across the province and not all boards have professional development days before the start of school.

Several boards have indicated they will use the 1998 curriculum but continue to teach about same-sex families and gender.

Thompson has said there’s “ample room” to address “current social issues” in the old lessons.