About time.
Education Minister Dustin Duncan today announced new parental inclusion and consent policies for Saskatchewan schools.
As of today:
– Schools must seek parent/guardian permission when changing the preferred name and pronouns used by students under the age of 16 in the school;
– Parents/guardians must be informed about the sexual health education curriculum and have the option to decline their children’s participation; and,
– Boards of education must immediately pause involvement with any third-party organization, such as ARC Foundation and the SOGI 1 2 3 Program, connected to sexual health education as the ministry undertakes review of educational resources to ensure alignment with curriculum outcomes. Only teachers, not outside third-parties, will be able to present sexual education materials in the classroom. This directive does not include professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
“Our government has heard the concerns raised by Saskatchewan parents about needing to be notified and included in their children’s education in these important areas,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said.
Predictably, the NDP return to their roots.