CALGARY — Alberta's largest school board says it will not use the United Conservative government's draft elementary school curriculum pilot this fall.
The Calgary Board of Education cites concerns that have been brought up by educators, academic staff, parents, and community members across the province.
The board says in a release that its decision considered the significant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of focusing on the immediate learning needs of students.
It says in the fall it will gather meaningful feedback on the draft curriculum through focus groups with classroom teachers and curriculum specialists.
Other school boards including Edmonton Public, Edmonton Catholic, Elk Island Public, Wild Rose, Medicine Hat Public, Medicine Hat Catholic and Lethbridge Public have also rejected it.
Critics take issue with many aspects of the draft curriculum, including the social studies, religion and Indigenous history components of what would be taught to students in kindergarten through Grade 6.
"We trust that government will consider all the feedback gathered across the province and make the necessary changes prior to implementation in September 2022," the Calgary Board of Education said.
-- With file from CTV
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2021
The Canadian Press