Politics, ideology to be removed from Alberta classrooms in new legislation

Alberta has introduced a number of changes to the Education Act. The province says the changes are needed to address respect in school.

In an effort to remove politics and ideology from classrooms, the Alberta government has introduced new legislation leaders say will focus on teaching fundamentals like reading, math and science.

If passed, An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act, will require unbiased teaching devoid of statements on political, social or ideological matters and protect employees from participating in activities that infringe their beliefs while ensuring students can express their views freely.

“This legislation improves accountability, protects students and keeps learning and safety the focus of our education systems,” said Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides after Bill 25 was tabled Tuesday afternoon. “School boards would be expected to stay focused on their core responsibilities and avoid taking positions on political or ideological issues that fall out of their scope.”

The minister recalled a recording that was leaked in 2023 where a teacher at an Edmonton junior high school allegedly berated a Muslim student for not attending school while they were celebrating pride activities.

“I know in January, there was another example of a teacher criticizing individuals from Fort McMurray and people who support the oil and gas sector,” said Nicolaides. “This is the type of personal opinion and bias that I don’t think serves any place in the classroom.”

While students will still learn about politics and ideologies at school, Nicolaides said they will be taking steps to ensure teachings are being presented impartially.

“What we’re saying in the legislation is that when engaging in these conversations, we need to take steps to ensure that it’s being presented with a balance, and that diverse viewpoints are being brought forward and student thinking is challenged.”

The province is also establishing requirements for displaying the Alberta and Canadian flags, the playing of the national anthem at least once a week and oversight in respect to what flags are displayed in schools in relation to Alberta’s heritage, school culture and activities.

Education and Childcare will begin developing flag, anthem and school naming regulations in late spring and early summer to be effective by Sept. 1.

Additional amendments to the Education Act include legislation that would give the education minister authority to set “strategic priorities” for all school jurisdictions including public, separate, francophone and charter schools.

Strategic priorities refer to ensuring parents are involved in their child’s learning as well as non-academic school activities and continuous oversight of courses and programs to guarantee they are taught with a “focus on academic rigour, intellectual integrity and essential knowledge.”

The province said it will be moving diploma exams and provincial achievement exams to an online format to save money and improve efficiency, which is expected to take effect on Sept. 1 upon proclamation.

External parties using resources dealing with gender identity, sexual orientation or sexuality to provide religious instruction will no longer require approval from the education minister.

School board trustees who are running as a candidate in a federal or by-election will now be required to take a leave of absence without pay during their campaign, if the legislation passes. Unsuccessful trustees will be allowed to return to their position.

Charter schools

The proposed legislation may also make it easier to issue charters on a continuing basis, if passed.

This will require charter school operators to have completed five years of operations and to meet all legislated requirements of a five-year, and a 15-year term before having to apply for a charter on a continuing basis.

Oversight would include a charter evaluation at least once every 15 years.

“The move to charter permanency recognizes the fact that schools like mine have been around for 31 years and have proven our worth through excellence in programming and a student-focused approach,” said Adam Koziak, vice-president of the Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools in a statement. “Charter schools are the fastest growing part of the education system in Alberta.”

Charter schools are publicly-funded schools that operate autonomously from other school boards and offer specialized education. While they are barred from charging tuition unlike private or independent schools, they do still charge fees for students that are typically hundreds of dollars more than what a family might pay at the average public school.

‘Need to look beyond clickbait’: ATA

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) called Bill 25 a “grab-bag” of amendments to the Education Act.

“While vague, this legislation may impact teachers and school leaders directly and indirectly, positively and negatively,” said ATA president Jason Schilling in a statement. “We need to look beyond the clickbait title of this bill to understand its full scope – it has very little to do with politics and ideology, at least in the classroom.”

Schilling said the ATA will monitor the implementation of the amendments, but “won’t let them distract from the critical issues still affecting teachers and students.”

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