New sexual education curriculum introduced

By Samantha Wigfield

After 16 years of careful deliberation, the Ontario Ministry of Education has revamped its sexual education curriculum.

Provincial officials have updated and added to the outdated information given to students and the mandatory health and physical education children will receive starting in September.

But not all parents are happy with the new curriculum. Jessica Smallman, a mother of two daughters aged two and six, said she thinks some of the topics they will be teaching children are too explicit and it is not appropriate to introduce sexual education to grade one students.

“I think it’s a little too young, maybe Grade 3 would be okay but honestly I don’t want that taught to my daughter at that age. I think it would be better to be able to decide when I want to teach my daughter. It’s also based on the child and the questions that they have,” Smallman said. “I should be able to teach my daughter the way I want too and not have a teacher tell her about that sort of thing. Why over educate them, let them be as innocent for as long as they can.”

She said she does agree with the fact that cyber bullying should be taught because it is such a big problem and online seems to be where bullying is moving.

The new curriculum covers everything from the correct names of body parts in the Grade 1 to “sext” education in Grade 4. Oral and anal sex will be introduced in Grade 7 and pregnancy prevention in the Grade 9. Teachers will also be promoting nutrition, exercise and physical wellness as a whole.

The director of education for the Greater Essex County District School Board, Erin Kelly, said there is a misunderstanding of what is being taught. She said children need to know how to react to their peers, know their body parts and what is acceptable, as well as how to maintain personal hygiene and respectful conduct.

“There were cautions raised around it, which is why it took so long,” Kelly said. “Understanding online safety and what could happen is one of our huge focuses and definitely worthy of our attention.”

SIDEBAR
Parents and guardians can find more information about the new health and physical education curriculum on the Ontario Ministry of Education website.