High schools in
Abbotsford, Canada, are being blocked by the local school
board from teaching a new social justice course that
includes curriculum on issues dealing with everything
from homophobia to animal rights, reports the
Vancouver Sun.
The school board
says it wants to review the course's content after
religious groups objected to the teachings, saying they
would be too subject to individual beliefs of
teachers.
One high school
swiftly modified the course, eliminating information
about gay and lesbian rights, after the board said it
couldn't be taught this semester.
A letter from the
board about the course indicated they thought a number
of the subjects were better suited to college students.
"Many of the issues and topics are very sensitive and
encroach on areas of family values, beliefs, and
practices," reads the letter, according to the
Sun. "Some resources and related discussions
may leave students feeling alienated or threatened rather
than feeling accepted and respected for their opinions and
perspectives."
The social
studies department head at the high school, Leanne Abrey,
said she was frustrated by the board's action.
"[I] kind of
questioned why a ministry-approved course would need to
have board approval," she told the Sun. "I
don't think it reflects well on our community. It sort of
defeats the purpose of a social justice course when it
can't be offered." (The Advocate)
