SaskatchewanThird-party groups that teach students about child abuse prevention in Saskatchewan schools are still banned from providing that education, even as other groups have been allowed back into classes, says one organization.Sexual health organizations say they feel targeted by the governmentOnly classroom teachers or government health officials are allowed to teach about sexual health and education in Saskatchewan schools. (David Donnelly/CBC)Third-party groups that teach students about child abuse prevention in Saskatchewan schools are still banned from providing that education, even as other groups have been allowed back into classes, says one organization.”We have jumped through every hoop that’s been asked of us,” said Amber Stewart, executive director of Anchor and Thread, formerly the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre.“At this point, it feels very targeted.”The province banned third-party groups from presenting information on sexual health in schools in 2023, after it said graphic sexual education material was picked up by a Lumsden high school student following a presentation by Planned Parenthood Regina.Then education minister Dustin Duncan responded to the incident by banning third-party educators, including Planned Parenthood, from coming into classrooms to teach students about issues surrounding sex education and sexual health.It also used the notwithstanding clause — which gives governments the power to pass legislation that temporarily overrides certain portions of the Charter of Rights and Freedom — to enact Bill 137, known as the Parents Bill of Rights.It allows parents to opt children out of sex education in schools and requires parental consent for children under the age of 16 to use a different gender-related name or pronoun at school. Stewart says that directive meant her group was banned from teaching children about boundaries and consent — a core portion of Anchor and Thread’s education platform.”I don’t understand what is so scary about teaching children that their body is their body and to tell an adult if someone is hurting them. I don’t understand what people are so afraid of with teaching children that,” Stewart said.The province previously said it was working on a framework that could allow third-party educators back in schools, but did not respond to requests for an interview.Instead, the Saskatchewan Party government provided a written statement, saying the directive for schools on presentation of sexual health education materials from third-party organizations “is still in effect.”Under that directive, “only classroom teachers or health professionals employed by government ministries or the Saskatchewan Health Authority can present sexual health education materials,” the province’s statement said. These are sensitive conversations about really important topics.- NDP MLA Nathaniel TeedBoth Stewart and NDP MLA Nathaniel Teed said teachers and schools want third-party educators to provide students with sexual health education.Teachers may not be experts in the area, and the conversations with students can be awkward for both, said the Opposition MLA.”They would rather have someone that’s an expert in that topic area come in and provide age-appropriate education,” Teed said.”These are sensitive conversations about really important topics.”Stewart said other groups that teach about bullying have been allowed back into the classroom. She agrees with that, but said she can’t understand why third-party education on sexual health remains prohibited.”We’ve been caught up in something we never should have been caught up in. And they won’t let us back.”ABOUT THE AUTHORColleen Silverthorn is a journalist for CBC in Regina. Colleen comes from the newspaper world, where she primarily covered politics and business. She has worked in Saskatoon, Regina and London, England. Story ideas? Email colleen.silverthorn@cbc.ca
3rd-party groups still banned from teaching about sexual health in Sask. schools
