By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Lethbridge Public Schools move forward with Arabic language and culture curriculum

Jan 24, 2017 | 3:50 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  The Lethbridge Public School district has decided to move forward with an Arabic Language and Culture component to its curriculum.

The decision stems from parents expressing an interest in having their children enrolled in such a course.  At Tuesday afternoon’s school board meeting, it was noted that a review found the curriculum met the necessary requirements for a public school option.

A news release from the school board outlined the decision

“The curriculum was collaboratively developed based on the Western and Northern Canadian Protocol for International Languages (WNCP, 2011), aligns with Alberta Education curriculum standards, and has been proven effective in a number of school divisions including Palliser School Division No. 26, Northern Lights, Fort McMurray and Edmonton Public Schools.”

Superintendent, Cheryl Gilmore, noted the course has been well received in other areas of the province.

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The purpose of the course is to develop competent communication in the Arabic language and an understanding of Islamic culture. 

The course will be treated as an elective course similar to French, Drama, Computers or Robotics.  It will be launched at the Coalbanks elementary, if there are enough students to make a class. Coalbanks will also be offering the Spanish Bilingual program for Kindergarten and Grade 1 next school year.

 While the Arabic course can be delivered at any elementary school where there is sufficient interest it would depend on the district having staff able to teach the language component

There was an initial proposal for an Islamic Academy at Wilson Middle School.  However, the Lethbridge Muslim Association chose not to move forward when it was determined it could not reach a minimum enrollment of 60 students. 

In November, Superintendent Gilmore estimated there were roughly 300 Muslim students out of 10,000 total across the district. She said the academy would be quite expensive due to resouce and staffing costs.