VANCOUVER - A new high school course designed to promote tolerance and diversity by introducing to students concepts such as homophobia, heterosexism and cultural imperialism will not be taught in at least one school district in British Columbia this year, thanks to worries that students exposed to the material may become bigots.

Social Justice 12 was developed as part of a settlement reached two years ago between

B. C.'s Attorney-General and two gay activists who filed a human rights complaint against the province, alleging classroom discrimination against homosexuals.

The new half-year elective course was tested in selected high schools last year, and was officially introduced to the provincial curriculum a few days prior to the commencement of the current school year.

It is being offered to senior high school students in most school districts across the province; interest appears to be particularly strong in

B. C.'s Lower Mainland, one of the most culturally diverse regions of Canada. But it's not available to students in Abbotsford, a conservative city in the region, and epicentre of B. C.'s "bible belt."

The course is just too problematic, explained Abbotsford School District superintendent Des McKay. "Some of the content is clearly controversial," he said yesterday, speaking to homosexual references that appear in the course outline.

But that's just one concern. In a letter sent to B. C.'s Ministry of Education earlier this year, the Abbotsford School District suggested the elective is too challenging for its senior high schoolers.

"When compared to university sociology course syllabuses it would appear that Social Justice 12 is more suited for second-or third-year sociology students," the letter reads.

What's more, Abbotsford teachers might be saddled with too much "personal bias" to teach the course effectively. Without proper training and background knowledge, teachers might mishandle the course material. The result could be counterproductive: a classroom of children "more biased and less tolerant of opposing beliefs because of misinformation," the letter reads.

Several months ago, the Abbotsford School District asked its seven high schools not to offer Social Justice 12 to its students. Unfortunately, it seems that one local high school did not get the memo and Social Justice 12 was inserted into its fall course-planning book.

Ninety students at W. J. Mouat Secondary signed up for the course. The "mistake" was not discovered until July, Mr. McKay said. By the time the new school year began three weeks ago, the hopeful students had been offered alternative, albeit temporary instruction, a made-in-Abbotsford solution called Global Studies and Active Citizenship.

The course does not bring up homosexuality, Mr. Mc-Kay said. Students will not be taught about certain other issues, such as cultural imperialism, he added, out of respect for myriad different "beliefs systems" and "sensitivities" present in Abbotsford.

The temporary course examines genocide, developing nations and restorative justice, he noted.

Shirley Bond, B. C.'s Education Minister, said that school districts are not obliged to offer Social Justice 12 in their schools; nonetheless, she disagreed with Abbotsford's bleak assessment that it might impart intolerance.

"No other school board in the province had a problem with it," she said.

Her ministry is reviewing Abbotsford's alternative social studies course; if it passes muster, and if there is enough student demand, it may be offered again next year.

Elsewhere in B. C., meanwhile, students taking Social Justice 12 are said to be happy with the material offered them.

"This course is absolutely working," said Carol Sirianni, who teachers Social Justice 12 at Riverside Secondary school in Port Coquitlam, a suburb of Vancouver.

Homosexuality is discussed "every day" in her classroom, she said. "But it doesn't monopolize the conversation. It is part of a larger discussion about diversity and anti-discrimination."

Conversation and current events are a big part of the program, she added. One topic put forward for discussion yesterday: the Abbotsford decision to not offer Social Justice 12.

"The kids were just enraged about that," Ms. Sirianni said.

bhutchinson@nationalpost.com