‘Ditch the Draft’ protesters heading to MLA offices

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on April 1, 2022.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

Opponents to Alberta’s K-6 curriculum update have planned to gather at local MLA offices Saturday at noon as part of province-wide “Ditch the Draft” protests.

The protests, which are scheduled to take place in Edmonton, Calgary, Bridgeable, Grande Prairie, Red Deer and multiple rural sites across Alberta, aim to spread awareness about concerns with the curriculum not yet addressed by the province or the Curriculum Implementation Advisory Group.

“I think the biggest reason we want to get out the word about it, is because there are so many different groups which have looked at the curriculum and realized it is not sound in terms of really educating our kids for what they need in the future,”

Heather McCaig, teacher and student council adviser with Medicine Hat Public School Division, told the News.

“As an educator, I’m deeply concerned that our students receive an education which is going to make them critical thinkers and learners,” McCaig said. “I’m really concerned that what is being put out by the government is not something which is going to really prepare our students for what they need in the future.”

Local retired social studies teacher and curriculum developer, Peter Mueller, also voiced concerns about the K-6 draft.

“I have been a teacher all my life … I was also heavily involved in working on curriculum,” Mueller said. “The goal of (past) curriculum was to create creative and involved students, and also to have students who think critically … When I’ve looked at the new curriculum, it is a hodge-podge of stolen and thoughtless material … It’s based on memorization and dates. It’s based on discreet bits of information disconnected from students’ lives.”

Mueller fears the new curriculum will hinder students’ development and limit minds.

“It’s a travesty that this particular government is willing to give up creative thinking, critical thinking, expression of thoughts,” he said.

Mueller and McCaig hope government officials will take note of the protests.

“There are so many people across this province – educators, parents, people who work at universities and teach education – all of us have said this is not good enough for our kids, so I’m really hoping the government will listen and will take a step back and work with us to make something which will be what our kids deserve,” McCaig said.

Protesters plan to be present at offices of both Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Frey, and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes.

“Albertans are free to protest; it’s their charter right. I have been hearing from constituents on the draft curriculum and I’ll continue to take their suggestions forward to the minister,” Frey said in response to the local protest.

Barnes also promised to hear protesters’ concerns.

“I welcome all peaceful protests and legal demonstrations,” Barnes said in a statement to the News. “I have been asking Cypress-Medicine Hatters to find 15 minutes a month to get involved in their city, province and country. I welcome all input to make our education system the best. I will drop by after my town hall at 1:30 p.m. and please consider sending me your ideas by email or in writing in my office mailbox.”

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