There is an old adage that says those with the money make the rules.
While it isn’t true in all cases, certainly when it comes to public education it is often the case.
It is the provinces that set the core curriculum that schools deliver, they also set out the rules in how education is to be administered.
It is true school boards, schools and teachers do have some freedom, especially in the case of private schools, with respect to subject matter, teaching methods and the like, but by and large, the provinces have the final say in education matters. And for the most part, the system works pretty well. The majority of the public understands the necessity of having universal standards and protections.
The question is what happens or should happen to a school board or school if there is a disagreement or they refuse to follow the Education ministry’s mandate?
Case in point Alberta Education’s recent edict that all school boards must have policies in place that protect students identifying themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer (LGBTQ).
These policies were to be submitted to Alberta Education by the end of the March.
Pastor Brian Coldwell, chair of the Independent Baptist Christian Education Society, which runs two schools in rural Parkland County with a total of 200 students, has gone on record saying they would not comply.
Eggen followed up his instructions to boards when he posted an open letter to Alberta students telling them ‘you have rights that your schools will respect’ — namely the right to form gay-straight alliances and the right to use the washroom that is consistent with their gender identity.
Liberal Leader David Swan is urging Eggen to withdraw funding from school boards that refuse to implement the province’s new LGBTQ policy. He also suggests the ministry should consider removing school charters and dissolving boards that refuse to follow the policy.
And perhaps he has a point. For example what would Alberta Education do if a school decided, as part of its curriculum, to teach that the holocaust did not happen? An extreme example, true, but it is doubtful that Eggen would waste little time taking action. Alberta Education is in a tough position. They have to protect students’ rights and at the same time respect the values and parents and the views of a community. Not an easy task, especially considering when not all groups are on the same page. For example, in the Christian community there are varying stances on LGBTQ issues. While most Christian churches still ban the ordination of LGBT clergy — a growing number of churches are allowing openly LGBT clergy to serve and perform same sex marriages.
So what will Eggen do? Whatever his decision is regarding the Independent Baptist Christian Education Society it is clear there will a number of unhappy people.
