B.C.'s new education curriculum has enough flexibility to allow teachers and students to focus more on Asian content than they do now, says the province's education ministry.

In a phone conversation with The Tyee today, a spokesperson at the ministry said there are currently several courses that cover Asian history, cultures, and immigration, including social studies, history, and civics. But the new curriculum currently being unveiled a few courses at a time offers more choice to expand on Asian studies content currently available.

"The new curriculum that's being developed right now is going to provide teachers with more flexibility to make the learning experience for students more personalized. So [there will be] more opportunities for students, teachers, and communities in general to shape topics of their choice," said the spokesperson. "There's going to be an encouragement of more discussion on these topics, not less."

Earlier this week the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada's Asia Competence Task Force released a report that found few Canadians are educated about Asian Pacific countries. Considering the trade deals being inked between some of these countries -- particularly China -- and the federal and provincial governments, the task force found this problematic.

"According to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada's (APF Canada) 2012 National Opinion Poll, a majority of Canadians agree that Asia is important to Canadian prosperity. However, according to another recent poll, many of Canada's 'Asia practitioners' -- Asia-engaged professionals from the public, private and academic sectors -- say this has not prompted enough investment in the knowledge, skills, and experience Canadians need to be effective in Asia. When polled, 60% of these practitioners said it was difficult to find qualified Canadians to fill Asia-related jobs. Only 34% felt that the Canadians working in their professions have sufficient knowledge of Asian societies and economies."

In addition to the Canadian job market demands, task force co-chair and former Canadian diplomat in China David Mulroney said knowledge of Asian countries is part of a well-rounded education.

"Increasingly, to call yourself an educated person growing up in the Canada of the future, you're going to need to know a lot more about Asia," he told The Tyee.

The ministry says the languages offered in B.C. schools are up to the districts, though the ministry encourages as much variety in courses as possible. Overall the spokesperson described the ministry's support of and interest in Asian education, particularly regarding China, as evolving.

"It's an ongoing process in terms of looking at better ways to support international students, both here in B.C.-certified offshore schools, and as well as students that are taking Asian studies in the curriculum in B.C. public schools, as well," they said.

Katie Hyslop reports on education and youth issues for The Tyee Solutions Society. Follow her on Twitter.