Article content

Under the Alberta government’s new social studies curriculum, Holocaust education will be a mandatory component. 

“I firmly believe we must do everything possible to combat rising antisemitism and educate young Albertans about the horrors of the Holocaust,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of Education, in a press release announcing the change Friday. “Ensuring all students learn from one of history’s darkest chapters will help us confront hate and prevent similar atrocities from occurring.”

Article content

Article content

Alberta Education is currently in the process of working with education partners and Jewish organizations to explore how to develop the new social studies curriculum.

“Feedback from these engagement activities will be used to solidify when and where students learn about the Holocaust in draft social studies curriculum before it is released for further engagement,” read the press release. 

In the current social studies curriculum, kindergarten to grade 12 students learn about communities who historically were and continue to be discriminated against and marginalized communities. Grade 11 is when students analyze ultranationalism as a cause of genocide which includes study of the Holocaust.

Early next year, Alberta Education will begin public engagement with Albertans to get their input on the new curriculum.

In a press release from Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Jewish Federations, the organizations commended the government for mandating Holocaust studies in the upcoming social studies curriculum.

Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, said in a press release the announcement is coming at a crucial time when antisemitism has spiked across the country.

Article content

“It is crucial that the next generations learn about how hate surfaces. Whether it’s distortion of Holocaust history or misinformation about Hamas’ terrorist attacks, both are rooted in antisemitism, and today’s announcement demonstrates that the Alberta government is dedicated to fighting hate in all its forms,” said Leavitt-Wright. 

Representatives of organizations echoed Leavitt-Wright’s sentiment, including Shimon Koffler Fogel, president and CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, who said “education is crucial to ensuring our children learn the lessons of the past and are equipped to stand up against hate today.”

Rakhi Pancholi, Alberta NDP Critic for Education, agreed and supported the implementation of Holocaust education, noting in 2018, the Alberta NDP began the process to expand Holocaust education in the curriculum.

“Jewish communities in Alberta are reeling from an alarming rise in antisemitism and antisemitic violence across Canada. Combating hate begins with education. We must never forget where the propagation of hatred and bigotry can lead,” Pancholi said in a press release. 

Alberta’s announcement follows British Columbia’s Minister of Education’s decision to mandate the inclusion of Holocaust education in that province’s curriculum in October.

Article content