News Release Archive
EDUCATION AND CULTURE--EDUCATION BILL TABLED ------------------------------------------------------------ Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern introduced a new Education Bill into the House of Assembly today, providing the legislative framework for education reforms, which were over two years in the making and shaped by thousands of Nova Scotians. The bill, which combines the current Education Act and School Boards Act, is the first major overhaul of the education legislation in 40 years. Mr. MacEachern thanked the many Nova Scotians for their contributions. "I personally travelled to communities across the province, meeting with every school board at least twice, and with 3,500 Nova Scotians on the White Paper alone. My staff met with and considered written comments from thousands more." "As a result, we have a bill focused on the needs of students, from promoting safe, orderly schools to directing every possible dollar to the classroom," the minister said. Partnerships and shared responsibilities are a major theme in the bill. The bill provides for school advisory councils, bringing all partners together to support student success within the school. Roles and responsibilities for all education partners, including parents, students and support staff, are also defined, increasing local decision-making and building accountability by defining what needs to done in education and who is responsible for doing it. The bill promotes equity for all students. Allister Surette, policy advisor on Acadian and Francophone governance, said the new bill creates the first Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial. "Through provincial governance and local school councils, the bill means better opportunities for excellence in education for Acadian and Francophone students," Mr. Surette said. The province's first Council on African-Canadian Education will also be created. The council will recommend on public school and adult education programs and services that promote the rights and interests of African-Nova Scotians. The bill also strengthens the commitment to students with special needs, to be reinforced by a new provincial special education policy now being finalized. The bill supports safe, orderly schools. Principals and teachers, in consultation with parents, will have increased authority for discipline in their schools, consistent with the provincial discipline policy. This will be balanced with supports for students with discipline problems, such as providing alternative education arrangements and remedial action for suspended students to help them return to the classroom once the suspension ends. As well, some of the most serious problems which occur on school grounds are caused by people not even attending the school, and the bill gives teachers the authority to remove anyone not attending the school from the premises, if that person is disturbing the school. The bill provides for the transition to amalgamated school boards, shifting dollars out of administration and overhead, into the classroom. As well, school boards, like all publicly-funded organizations, must be accountable for how they spend tax dollars. For example, the bill requires school boards and school councils to produce annual reports, including information on goals, progress and results. -30- Contact: Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615 trp Nov. 03, 1995