Debate erupts over Alberta’s education curriculum
Posted Feb 18, 2019 10:53 am.
Last Updated Feb 18, 2019 11:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Alberta’s education minister has some choice words for Jason Kenney.
The leader of the United Conservative Party accused the provincial government of putting its ideology and world view into the new school curriculum.
Kenney said if his party wins the spring election, they will put the curriculum review on hold and consult to make sure it focuses on the basics.
“A curriculum that should be written in plain language that parents and teachers can understand.”
Kenney uses the current math curriculum as an example of a language that not everyone understands.
Education Minister David Eggen shot back at Kenney’s remarks saying the government is focusing on the basics.
READ MORE: Alberta posts proposed curriculum changes online
“This isn’t constructive criticism, it’s a drive-by shooting on our curriculum and our kid’s education and Jason Kenney really should be ashamed.”
Eggen even took to Twitter to voice his concerns over Kenney’s proposal.
“Our kids need to learn the fundamentals in numeracy, literacy and so on. In saying he would throw the curriculum in the shredder, @jkenney is showing that he will do whatever it takes to score cheap political points.”
Kenney agrees that changes do need to be made to the curriculum, but said he’s offering a different approach.
“We certainly do need to get much stronger results in areas like math, reading and I believe a more balanced approach to social studies.”
The Government of Alberta is changing the curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12 as part of a multi-year process
With files from the Canadian Press
