The province has announced it would begin development on a new Filipino language and culture curriculum.
Premier Rachel Notley made the announcement on Thursday, February 7 at a round table with community leaders.
“Providing learning opportunities for students in a variety of language programs helps youth maintain their heritage, strengthen their cultural identity and build language and literacy skills,” said David Eggen, Minister of Education. “Strengthening language programs based on local need and demand can be an effective tool in addressing racism. In fact, this is one of the ways we’re acting on the feedback we heard, and commitments we made, in our government’s anti-racism consultations and report.”
According to a press release Calgary Catholic School District, Edmonton Catholic Schools, and St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools already offer Filipino language and curriculum through locally developed courses. The province aims to develop a full K-12 curriculum, and Alberta Education will work with stakeholders and community partners to identify resources to support the curriculum.
There has been significant growth in the Filipino community in Drumheller. Principal JoAnne Akerboom says the school currently has about 15 per cent English-language learners.
Cora-Leah Schmitt, coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction for Christ The Redeemer School Division says the recognition of the strong link between culture and language is commendable.
Christ The Redeemer School Division is in support of the implementation of this curriculum dependent upon the demand of such a program, as well as the availability of qualified teachers in this area,” she said.
The curriculums will not be mandatory and school authorities have the choice and flexibility to offer programming that best meets the needs of the community.
Besides English and French, 26 languages are currently available for study in Alberta.
