Parental Inclusion and Consent Policies in Saskatchewan Schools

• damiadeniyi
• August 24, 2023
• Education, News
• Saskatchewan
• 0 Comments

Education Minister Duncan Unveils New Measures to Enhance Parental Involvement and Student Safety

In a significant announcement on Tuesday, Education Minister Dustin Duncan revealed sweeping policies aimed at fostering parental inclusion and consent within Saskatchewan schools. The policies, effective immediately, touch upon various aspects of education, including preferred name changes, sexual health education, and third-party involvement. The overarching objective is to establish consistent guidelines across school divisions and empower parents to play a more integral role in their children’s educational journey.

Under the new policies, schools are now required to obtain parental or guardian consent when altering the preferred names and pronouns used by students under the age of 16. This move reflects the government’s emphasis on respecting parents’ rights and recognizing their pivotal role in guiding their children’s development. Notably, for students aged 16 and above, parental or guardian consent is not mandatory for such changes.

One of the significant aspects of the announcement pertains to sexual health education. Parents and guardians must be informed about the sexual health education curriculum, and they retain the option to decline their children’s participation. This provision respects the diversity of beliefs within families while ensuring parents have a say in their children’s exposure to sensitive topics.

In a move to provide more control over educational resources, boards of education are directed to temporarily halt involvement with third-party organizations linked to sexual health education. The ministry will undertake a comprehensive review of these resources to ensure alignment with curricular objectives. This adjustment aims to centralize the responsibility of delivering sexual education materials to teachers within the school system.

Minister Duncan highlighted the need to strike a balance between parental involvement and students’ sense of safety and comfort. The policy recognizes that there may be instances where a child believes they are at risk if their parents are informed about certain decisions. In such cases, the policy ensures that appropriate support mechanisms are in place to address these concerns.

The announcement has garnered a range of reactions from various quarters. While some critics argue that the policies may inadvertently harm vulnerable students, others emphasize the importance of parental engagement. Opposition leader Carla Beck expressed concerns about the potential for outing children, and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation raised questions about the policies’ alignment with human rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.