Minister Introduces Education Act Amendments to Align with Teachers Agreement

The province is taking steps to bring the Education Act in line with recent negotiated changes to the Teachers Provincial Agreement.

Education Minister Ramona Jennex, today, May 4, introduced two amendments to the act to reflect the current agreement with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.

Under the changes, schools boards will have the option of extending a probationary contract for a third year, from two, if a teacher does not accrue a minimum of 145 days of service in any probationary year.

This option will allow a school board sufficient time to evaluate a teacher's performance, if required.

The other amendment will see the term director replace assistant superintendent to update the terminology now in use.

"We have worked together through the collective bargaining process and now we are making sure the Education Act reflects the changes agreed to during negotiations," said Ms. Jennex.

The changes were agreed to during the last round of bargaining and signed by both sides on Nov. 10, 2011.