HWDSB trying to balance inclusivity with move to repeal modern sex-ed curriculum

As a new school year begins, Hamilton's publicboard is preparing tobalance inclusivityand equity with the Ministry of Education's repeal of a modernized sex-ed curriculum.

MannyFigueiredo,director of education for the Hamilton-WentworthDistrict School Board, said the decision by Ontario's Progressive Conservative government to scrap the 2015 sex-ed curriculum has leftstaff in a tough spot.

• Ontario government says it has an interim sex-ed curriculum elementary teachers must follow

"We have to follow the ministry directions in terms of the curriculum they set," he explained. "Butwe also honour the professional judgmentof teachers and we have to ensure, in terms of human rights and equity, that students feel included and welcome."

Scrapping the previous government's curriculum, whichincluded warnings about online bullying andsextingalong with gender identity and masturbation, was a key campaign promise for Premier Doug Ford.

The provincial governmenthas also warned there will be consequences for teachers who use the modernized version of the lesson plan put in place by the Liberals in 2015.

Figueiredo's comments come as one of Ontario's largest teachers' unionslaunched a legal challenge to thegovernment's decision.

• Ontario teachers' union takes legal action to fight repeal of modernized sex-ed curriculum

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is seeking an injunction to keep the curriculum in place and to stop what it calls the government's "snitch line" whereparents can report non-compliant teachers.

ETFO President Sam Hammond described the government's decision as reckless.He addedthe union's legal action is vital to ensure that educators and school boards can continue to protect the safety and health of students.

"Teaching issues like consent, LGBTQ relationships, gender identities and many other human development issues related to today's realities are not only necessary but vital for student safety, well-being and inclusivity," he said.

Topics won't 'disappear'

Figueiredo said his board doesn't intend to back away from issues of inclusivity.

"Students have to see themselves in the school, reflected in the topics teachers will bring forward and we're going to support them because there's some tension there between will certain topics disappear and will certain students be disadvantaged," he explained.

"Although there might not be explicit teaching of certain topics we still need to respond to student needs."