Curriculum change the first challenge for new Central Okanagan superintendent

KELOWNA – The incoming superintendent of the Central Okanagan School District praised his predecessor Hugh Gloster even as he acknowledged some of the challenges the district is facing.

Top among them is the province-wide introduction of the new curriculum, something Supt. Kevin Kaardal acknowledged today, Dec. 16, at a media event with school board chairperson Moyra Baxter.

“This is part of a global shift and is unprecedented. B.C. is leading the change but we are doing it in a thoughtful way. They are coming from all over the world to see what we are doing,” he said.

The provincial ministry of education announced the curriculum change in September, promising a three-year phase in period and support for teachers who must learn it.

However, the Central Okanagan Teachers Association has already said they feel there has been a lack of resources provided by the government to help teachers make the switch.

The district has added two non-instructional days to this year’s calendar to accommodate curriculum workshops for teachers.

The Central Okanagan School District has aproximately 22,000 students and almost 1,200 full-time equivalent teachers.

The new superintendent comes from the Burnaby School District and replaces Gloster, who spent seven years in the position.

To contact a reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.