Manitoba’s updated health and physical education curriculum will bring changes to how sexual education is delivered in the region. A representative for Education Minister Tracy Schmidt has confirmed that sexual education is part of the health curriculum revamp, which mandates in-person physical education classes for all students from kindergarten to Grade 12. The new curriculum will be introduced in September through a voluntary two-year pilot program, aiming to modernize the existing curriculum, which has remained unchanged for 25 years.
The overhaul, designed to address current challenges faced by young people, has garnered interest from over two dozen schools across Manitoba. Feedback from teachers and parents will be solicited during the pilot phase. The full implementation of the new health curriculum is scheduled for the 2028-29 school year.
The revamped curriculum is set to offer developmentally appropriate and comprehensive information to help students make informed decisions related to relationships, safety, and overall well-being. While specific details regarding the changes to sexual education are not publicly available yet, Schmidt has assured that the new curriculum will be accessible online at the beginning of the school year.
Kaitlyn White, a program coordinator at the Sexuality Education Resource Centre (SERC) office in Brandon, expressed the organization’s desire for more inclusive discussions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and diverse relationship dynamics in the updated curriculum. White emphasized that comprehensive sexuality education plays a crucial role in reducing gender-based violence, fostering healthier communities, and even preventing suicides.
However, concerns have been raised about the current sex-ed programming in Manitoba, with White highlighting its bias towards heterosexual and cisgender individuals. White stressed that an exclusive focus on cisgender heterosexual relationships can create unsafe and disrespectful environments for both students and staff.
In related developments, complaints were filed in 2017 alleging discrimination against 2SLGBTQ+ families in Manitoba’s school curriculum. Although an investigation by the Manitoba Human Rights Commission confirmed discriminatory elements, the complaint was initially dismissed. Following a court order in 2021, the commission was instructed to revisit the complaint.
Opposition Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan expressed support for updating the curriculum to address contemporary student issues. However, Khan voiced concerns about the limited details released by the NDP government just before the school year commences.
The hope is that the two-year pilot project will lead to a more comprehensive health education framework for Manitoba students, ensuring that outdated materials are not retained for another extended period.
