Loch Ness Monster teachings unacceptable in Sask. independent schools: NDP

https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/sask-politics/loch-ness-monster-teachings-unacceptable-in-sask-independent-schools-ndp

As three former students affected by alleged abuse from their independent school sat in the Saskatchewan Legislative gallery on Thursday, NDP education critic Matt Love whipped out and read a biology textbook they would have used.

Directly quoting the textbook, Love said, “This book says scientific evidence tends to support the idea that men and dinosaurs existed at the same time.” It referenced the Loch Ness Monster “as proof that dinosaurs still exist today,” he told the chamber.

“These are textbooks that have been outlawed and banned in many jurisdictions around North America, but somehow they’re still allowed here in schools that have received millions of dollars in provincial funding over the last 10 years,” Love later told reporters.

The revelation of the Loch Ness Monster teachings that have been taught by at least one independent school in Saskatchewan come as students continue to raise concerns about allegations of abuse and mistreatment.

Sitting in the gallery were Caitlin Erickson, Stefanie Hutchinson and Coy Nolin, who have all alleged mistreatment and abuse from what is now called Legacy Christian Academy and its parent organization, Mile Two Church.

Nolin and Erickson, have filed a class action lawsuit seeking at least $25 million, alleging the two organizations perpetrated and abetted the spanking of students, fondling of minors by church staff and other graphic abuse.

The allegations have not been proven or tested in court. Education Minister Dustin Duncan has appointed two supervisors to oversee schools where there have been alleged wrongdoing, including Legacy. The province cancelled the certificate of one school because it refused to co-operate.

In addition to the allegations, the former students say they were taught many controversial and scientifically incorrect subjects.

Erickson said she learned about the comparison of the Loch Ness Monster to dinosaurs when she was in Grade 12. The monster, which also goes by the name Nessie, is a mythical creature that has been said to live in Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands.

She said the textbook is still used to this day, as well as other controversial teachings that she said has been banned elsewhere. She had also referenced “highly inappropriate” and sexist booklets.

The teachings come through programs called Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) and the Saskatchewan Association of Independent Church Schools (SAICS), she said.

While the Loch Ness reference might seem bizarre to some, Erickson said, at the time, they weren’t allowed to question anything. If they did, they would be disciplined.

“This type of curriculum enforces indoctrination. It doesn’t further learning,” she said. “It really just fails them later on in life.”

Duncan told reporters on Thursday he saw the controversial biology textbook when he met with the former students, but said he didn’t spend much time flipping through the pages.

When asked if he thinks ACE is acceptable for schools to use, he said he doesn’t know much about it.

He said Qualified Independent Schools must follow the provincial curriculum to receive funding and that ministry staff work to ensure students meet learning outcomes when they graduate.

“The ministry officials, in meeting with the schools that have had concerns, they’ve made sure that there has been corrective action on that,” he said, adding he hasn’t been flagged by staff that this is being taught.

Even though Erickson said these teachings are still accessible, Duncan said he was unsure of “how much of that is actually taking place.”

Love said the province shouldn’t allow these resources to be taught because it doesn’t achieve acceptable outcomes.

He noted the NDP supports independent schools receiving public funding when they adhere to the human rights code.

Duncan has maintained the province supports parental choice in sending their children to independent schools. He has argued the province had increased oversight of these schools in 2012.