Alberta will soon issue a new order on school library books, removing explicit content but keeping classics, after confusion over the initial directive.
Alberta Confirms New Order on School Library Books
Alberta’s premier announced that a rewritten ministerial order will soon replace a paused directive requiring the removal of sexually explicit books from school libraries. The update is intended to clarify the government’s position while ensuring that widely recognized classics remain available to students.
Pause Leads to Clarification
The province’s education minister temporarily suspended the initial order earlier this week, asking school boards to pause implementation. The suspension followed concerns that the directive lacked clarity and risked being applied too broadly across schools.
Premier Stresses Clear Distinction
At a press conference, the premier stated the new order will specifically target books with pornographic images while safeguarding established works of literature. She emphasized that the intent is to protect children without erasing respected classics.
Timeline for Implementation
The original ministerial order, signed in early July, was set to take effect October 1. Although paused, the revised version is expected to be issued within days, maintaining the same timeline for school boards to prepare compliance policies.
Reactions From School Boards and Advocacy Groups
An early draft list of books slated for removal drew criticism for including notable titles, prompting backlash from educators and writers. Parents’ groups that advocated for the policy supported the government’s decision to clarify the directive, while library organizations welcomed the pause, urging greater involvement of teachers and librarians in developing selection criteria.
Political Response and Wider Concerns
Opposition leaders accused the government of focusing on book bans instead of addressing pressing issues such as classroom overcrowding, teacher shortages, and education funding. They argued that the confusion could have been avoided with clearer communication from the outset.
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