Ethics within Ontario (Canada) Elementary Health and Physical Education

Overview & Synopsis

Following the qualitative research mode commonly known as content analysis unfolded while exploring the current Ontario provincial government positions arising from the recent 2019 Ontario Health and Physical Education curricular document which includes directives supporting the teaching of ethics. Several questions provoked and framed this content analysis which asked: How should ethics be taught in Health and Physical Education? What level of ethical awareness should Ontario Physical Educators and students have? What are the existing ethical guidelines and orientations impacting Ontario teachers? To what extent are Ontario teachers urged via the curricula to focus and emphasize ethics in the classroom and gymnasium? Eventually, the curricular emphasis on ethics emerges via references to Ontario teacher unions, the Ontario Teachers College, the Ontario Ministry of Education and implications for various other stakeholders complete the picture within a contemporary ethical infused landscape.