The Government of Alberta said it will consult with Jewish groups to help develop educational programming in schools about the Holocaust. (Photo: Oscar1319 | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta to consult with Jewish groups on Holocaust education

Nov 10, 2023 | 9:27 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta looks to explore how, where, and to what extent students should learn about the Holocaust.

The province said Alberta Education will consult with its partners in education and Jewish communities as it continues to develop the new K-12 social studies curriculum.

These groups include the Calgary Jewish Federation, the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, and other associations.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicholaides said Holocaust education will continue to be a mandatory part of schooling.

“I firmly believe we must do everything possible to combat rising antisemitism and educate young Albertans about the horrors of the Holocaust,” said Nicholaides. “Ensuring all students learn from one of history’s darkest chapters will help us confront hate and prevent similar atrocities from occurring.”

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Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said education is crucial to ensure children can learn lessons from the past and will stand up against hate today.

“Implementing mandatory Holocaust education will create a safer Alberta for all. We want to thank Premier Danielle Smith, Minister Nicolaides and the Alberta government for supporting the Jewish community and fighting antisemitism and hate,” said Fogel.

During World War II, approximately six million Jewish people in Europe were killed by the Nazis.

Currently, students in Grade 11 learn about ultranationalism as a cause of genocide, including the study of the Holocaust. Grade 12 classes include studies about injustices faced by those who historically were, and continue to be, marginalized, or who have experienced discrimination.

The government plans to launch public engagement with Albertans on the proposed K-12 social students curriculum and view the draft K-6 social studies curriculum in early 2024.

According to the 2021 federal census, 11,390 people in Alberta identified as Jewish.

Rakhi Pancholi, Alberta NDP Critic for Education, made the following statement in response:

“The persecution and murder of six million Jews by Adolph Hitler and the Nazis is a singular evil in the history of the world. We must always guard against attempts to deny or distort this history. We must educate our young people about these terrible crimes to ensure they never happen again.

“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.

“The history of the Holocaust is mandatory in the current senior high school social studies curriculum. In 2018, the Alberta NDP began a process to expand Holocaust education in the curriculum, and we continue to support that expansion.”

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