Education Minister Lisa Thompson was greeted by several teachers unions rallying outside her visit to Westgate high school yesterday.
When asked by reporters about the protesters, Thompson said they are committed to discussing changes with teachers.
“Making sure that our education partners know how important they are and that we want to hear from them and that not everything is set in stone as some would like you to believe.”
Local teachers union president Rich Seeley was disappointed with the reaction they received from the Minister.
“She smiled, she didn’t come and talk to us, she smiled and waved like the Queen might do, but she didn’t come out and talk, disappointing.”
The teacher union officials told our newsroom they are unhappy with several of the provincial government’s decisions involving education, including class sizes, and e-learning.
Meanwhile, the province is releasing its new First Nations, Metis and Inuit studies curriculum amid some criticism from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler tells us they wanted to see the courses be mandatory and not elective.
“Even the absence of some of the language we want to hear. Specifically, truth and reconciliation not something vague like aboriginal perspectives which is throughout their documents that we saw today.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister Lisa Thompson suggests they’ll continue to consult with First Nation leaders about this curriculum.
“We do have ongoing discussions, and we will continue to have, and we will keep this discussion going. I want to stand beside our communities and our chiefs.”
The NAN Grand Chief told us he only saw the new curriculum’s cover briefly once the Minister announced it Tuesday.
