Province to add antisemitism component to social studies curriculum

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 28, 2025.

Alberta students between Grade 7-9 will soon learn about the prejudice that the Jewish community faces as it will add a new draft to its social studies curriculum focused on antisemitism.

The province has been engaged with education partners and Jewish organizations “extensively” to develop the addition to the curriculum following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militant groups, which has been followed by ongoing retaliation and conflict between Israel and Palestine.

“I firmly believe we must do everything possible to combat rising antisemitism and educate young Albertans about the realities of antisemitism,” said Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said in a release. ” “Ensuring all students learn about the injustices faced by those who historically were, and continue to be marginalized, or who have experienced discrimination will help us confront hate and build stronger communities.”

No timeline has been shared with Monday’s announcement however the curriculum addition will expand on Holocaust education Alberta students receive throughout their K-6 social studies curriculum that will be implemented province-wide next school year following a pilot that began in 2024.

Later this winter the province says it will enter additional engagement to ensure that “inclusion of this content in the new curriculum will enable students to take a stand against rising antisemitism.”

The draft curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Calgary Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Edmonton and other Jewish organizations.

Feedback will be used in the decision-making process about when and where students will learn about antisemitism in junior high school.

“There is no place for hate, discrimination and racism in Alberta, and the classroom is no exception,” reads the press release.