curriculum

Wednesday January 23, 2024

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a plan to revamp the kindergarten curriculum, introducing a mix of play-based learning and foundational instruction in literacy and numeracy.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 23, 2024

Ontario’s Kindergarten Curriculum Makeover: A Balancing Act Amidst Past Greenbelt Controversies

March 19, 2019

Ah, Doug Ford, the man with a plan. Or, well, at least a plan to revamp Ontario’s kindergarten curriculum. Because, you know, nothing says “education reform” like a leader who once tried to turn the Greenbelt into a suburban paradise. But hey, let’s not dwell on past mistakes; let’s focus on the bright future of Ontario’s little tots and their newfound appreciation for fractions and phonics.

In a groundbreaking move that will undoubtedly reshape the trajectory of the province, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the government’s grand plan to mix “back to basics” instruction with play-based learning in kindergarten. Finally, the kids will be able to recite the alphabet while constructing houses with blocks. Who knew learning could be so… constructive?

News: Doug Ford government to revamp full-day kindergarten curriculum

April 19, 2023

Lecce emphasized the importance of developing “core foundational skills” in our youngest students. Because, let’s face it, the fate of the entire province rests on whether Timmy can correctly identify an up arrow or if Susie can spell “foundation” while building her Lego masterpiece. Move over, Shakespeare, the future literary giants are in kindergarten.

But let’s not forget the genius behind this educational revolution – Doug Ford, the man who once thought it would be a great idea to sacrifice the Greenbelt for the sake of affordable housing. Because who needs a protected environmental area when you can have a few more cookie-cutter houses, right?

In the 2018 election, Ford vowed to open up the Greenbelt, promising developers a piece of the protected pie. However, after a brief moment of enlightenment (or perhaps a strong public backlash), he backtracked, claiming he wouldn’t develop the area after all. Fast forward to 2022, and surprise, surprise – he did exactly what he said he wouldn’t.

September 23, 2023

The Auditor General then swooped in, revealing a flawed process that conveniently favoured certain developers, leading to the removal of 7,400 acres of Greenbelt land. The cost? A mere $8 billion. But hey, who’s counting when you’re reshaping the landscape of the province, one questionable decision at a time?

Ford’s Housing Minister, Steve Clark, faced calls to resign, with the Integrity Commissioner confirming ethics rule violations. But who needs ethical governance when you can build affordable homes for “newcomers and young people” on the Greenbelt? Forget the environment; think of the children – the ones who will be marvelling at their newly constructed block houses in kindergarten.

In the end, after a series of resignations, apologies, and promises to build within urban boundaries, Ford decided to reverse his decision and restore the Greenbelt lands. A true masterclass in leadership and decision-making, wouldn’t you say?

So, as Ontario gears up for the kindergarten curriculum overhaul, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the strategic mind behind it all – the man who brought you Greenbelt chaos and now wants your four-year-old to master fractions. Bravo, Doug Ford, bravo. (AI)

Tuesday May 5, 2015

Tuesday September 8, 2009Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 5, 2015

Thousands of parents keep kids home from school in sex-ed protest

Parents of thousands of elementary students across Toronto kept their children out of class Monday to protest the sex-ed portion of Ontario’s new health curriculum.

The hardest hit school was Thorncliffe Park Public School, where only about 130 children showed up for class out of the usual 1,350 — or roughly 10 per cent. At nearby Gateway Public School, some 400 students were away, nearly half the usual enrolment. At Valley Park Middle School, some 590 students were absent out of the total 950.

Thursday, February 26, 2015At Fraser Mustard, an all-kindergarten school in Thorncliffe Park, only 90 of 650 students turned up. The sex-ed curriculum doesn’t actually kick in until Grade 1.

“In Grade 1 they should be learning about the ABCs, not sex,” said Thorncliffe Park parent Lubna Awah, who kept her kindergarten son home.

“Boys are boys and girls are girls — why should they learn about a third (gender) in Grade 1?” asked Awah, who said she believes children will be encouraged to question their gender identity as early as Grade 1.

Awah said she learned much of what she is concerned about regarding the new curriculum earlier this spring on a flyer circulated by what she called a “Chinese Christian group,” because she said the school did not educate parents.

The new curriculum, endorsed by a coalition of doctors, educators, mental health experts as long overdue in an age of sexting, easy access to online pornography and a falling age of puberty, includes references to anal and oral sex in the context of warning students these alternatives to intercourse can also be risky because they can spread sexually transmitted disease, yet many protesters said they believe the curriculum encourages such behaviour. Critics have seized onto this, as well as possible explanations about masturbation that teachers would offer if asked by students, as encouraging all these behaviours — something educators have insisted in not the case. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)