The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) has spoken out against the new sexual education and parental rights policies announced by the Saskatchewan government..READ MORE Sask announces new sex ed rules, bans third parties from classroom.STF President Samantha Becotte posted a video and tweeted: "The new parental inclusion and consent policies are dangerous and a threat to the safety and well-being of students. The Federation is calling on the government to reverse this policy decision and engage in meaningful consultation with its sector partners and expert teachers.”.Many parents took to Twitter to voice their objections to the STF response. However, the STF has hidden hundreds of responses to their tweet.. STF Hidden Tweets .Queen Maureen tweeted "Your position is in direct opposition to parental rights. Teachers TEACH. Parents PARENT. The only thing dangerous about the new policies is that teachers see it as a threat.”.In the video, Becotte said students will no longer feel safe and welcome in Saskatchewan classrooms..“On behalf of the 13,000 teachers across Saskatchewan, I'm here to express our deep frustration and disappointment regarding the Minister of Education’s recent announcement of new parental inclusion and consent policies,” said Becotte..“Every day, teachers work tirelessly to create inclusive learning environments where all students feel welcomed and safe. However, this policy not only handcuffs teachers’ ability to build trust, it also dangerously threatens the safety and well-being of Saskatchewan students.”.Becotte accused the Saskatchewan government of using an “isolated incident” regarding “porn” sex cards distributed by Planned Parenthood in a grade nine class at Lumsden High School for its own political agenda..“This knee-jerk reaction to an isolated incident is a significant overstep by the government,” said Becotte..“It not only politicizes our classrooms, but it also takes us down a dangerous path without any consultation with teachers or the public at large.”.READ MORE Planned Parenthood ‘sex cards’ at Sask school sparks parents' outrage.Becotte asked everyone to contact their MLA to help protect student safety. .“I strongly encourage all teachers, parents and students to reach out to your MLA and express your disappointment with these outdated policy changes,” said Becotte..“It is essential that we stand together to protect the rights and safety of our students.”.Becotte stated that the Saskatchewan government’s policy changes violate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and will hurt sexual minority students..“Without meaningful consultation from experts in the education sector, the government has introduced a policy driven by political ideology, which will harm 2SLGBTQIA+ students. Similar policies in other provinces have been analyzed by child advocates and deemed to be unconstitutional,” said Becotte in a statement. .“This policy raises questions of human rights and is in opposition to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is calling this new Ministry of Education policy a massive overreach and an attempt by the government to react to recent by-election losses.”.READ MORE Sask principal tells mother 32% of Grade 7-12 kids are sexual minorities.One of the biggest issues that came out of the sex cards scandal was the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) materials being introduced to Saskatchewan schools. The materials are now removed from the classroom and under review..Becotte objects to the SOGI materials being removed along with other Saskatchewan education groups. The SOGI materials came from the ARC Foundation..“The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation; Saskatchewan School Boards Association; League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents; Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials; and even representatives from the Ministry of Education, have been working together with an organization called the ARC Foundation to plan a pilot program for some Saskatchewan schools utilizing their resources in a program called SOGI 123 (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity),” said Becotte. .“This program supports inclusion for all people and focuses on resources for supporting sexual orientation and gender identity. With the stroke of a pen, the Minister has unilaterally cancelled this program for Saskatchewan students.”
