Does the Enbridge pipeline topic belong in the classroom?
Posted October 2, 2012 7:49 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – An ethics professor believes BC teachers should be free to discuss the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline in the classroom, even though their union is a vocal critic of the project.
An optional lesson plan that includes posters that say ‘What we Stand to Lose’ has been posted on the BC Teachers’ Federation’s website.
“I think there is a legitimate concern about one-sided presentation of material and there is a concern that if information is presented in a one-sided way those students won’t develop critical thinking skills,” says University of Manitoba professor Arthur Schafer. “But the reason I favour using such controversies as material in schools for discussion is I think it presents an opportunity of making school relevant and gripping to the students.”
Schafer understands why some parents have expressed concerns, but says the pros outweigh the cons.
“Not every teacher is going to do it well and of course there are risks and dangers, but I think most teachers really are committed to education as opposed to propaganda,” he says.
The BCTF defends the lesson plan, saying it helps develop a students’ ability to think critically.
