MPP John Vanthof of Timiskaming-Cochrane believes the Tories have revealed a hidden agenda by replacing the 2015 sex education curriculum with the one first taught in 1998.
Vanthof says the decision to use a 20-year old program is about the Tories “fulfilling their promise to some socially Conservative friends.”
The Progressive Conservative government plans to consult with the public about how sex education should be taught in the classroom.
Vanthof agrees consultations are good but adds the Tories should have kept the 2015 curriculum during this period and not revert to the 1998 program.
Vanthof also says the public shouldn’t be fooled when they say they’re using a curriculum from 2014.
“They are trying to deflect,” he said.
“The Tories says it’s a 2014 program. But it was developed in 1998 and used in 2014 and updated in 2015.”
Vanthof says by using outdated information, the students lose out.
He says two decades ago there were so many things kids weren’t exposed to that are part of society today.
“Same sex marriage and transgender matters weren’t talked about but were there and the new curriculum recognized that,” said the New Democrat.
Vanthof adds some of today’s students faced with these issues aren’t going to be able to get any help and it’s why teachers are upset.
On the issue of teachers, some may defy the government direction to teach the 1998 program and instead go with the 2015 model.
Vanthof says the NDP will stand behind and support these teachers.
