An Edmonton Public School Board trustee says an important issue needs to be added to the sex ed portion of the curriculum, sexual consent, and he wants the provincial government to add it.
Trustee Orville Chubb has proposed a motion to ask the Minister of Education to consider adding sexual consent to the human sexuality part of the curriculum.
Chubb said he believes it’s an important subject, and that all students should learn what the Criminal Code says about personal boundaries.
“It’s a pretty serious offence and that’s where we’re missing the opportunity to inform our students of what the possible implications of what those things are,” Chubb said.
Currently, it’s a matter that may be discussed in class, but it’s not mandatory for teachers to cover it.
Student Trustee Johannah Ko said even bringing up the subject is an important move.
“Even if this isn’t implemented in the curriculum, this brings up the discussion in homes, in schools, even among friends, about consent,” Ko said.
“Then that is a step forward for me.”
Trustees unanimously agreed to send Education Minister Gordon Dirks a letter recommending this be looked at during the current review of the sexual health curriculum.
