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Midwestern

Bluewater board opposes Ford government's 'snitch line'

The Bluewater District School Board is against what's become known as a "snitch line".

The Ford government has set up such an online reporting system so parents can report teachers who stray from the approved health and physical education curriculum, better known as sex-ed.

Director of Education Alana Murray said that's not a cooperative way to deal with teachers and school boards.

"Any time you implement something that is heavy handed like a report line, it's not helpful in terms of ensuring that we are working together in the best interests of our students," said Murray.

Murray said Bluewater Board teachers will teach what the Ministry of Education deems appropriate. She adds they'll still be able to teach board values of respect, inclusion and diversity.

Meanwhile, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario is seeking a court injunction ordering the Progressive Conservative government to return to the modernized version and also to stop what it said is a counterproductive complaint line to report teachers failing to toe the line.

A spokesperson for Education Minister Lisa Thompson said it would be inappropriate to comment because the matter is before the courts.

Green Party leader Mike Schreiner said he supports the challenge because it's wrong for the government to prevent teachers from creating the kind of safe and open space that is crucial for students' health and well-being.

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