News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--AMENDMENTS STRENGTHEN EDUCATION ACT ------------------------------------------------------------ Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern introduced amendments this evening to clarify and strengthen the Education Act for Nova Scotia students. The amendments build on principles already in the act. To protect the rights of employees, specific provisions have been amended to ensure the act protects existing collective agreements. For example, current two-tier bargaining with the Nova Scotia teachers union will be retained. The teachers union and the Nova Scotia School Boards Association have been invited to work with the department to achieve a single-tier process in future. By severing this labour relations issue from the legislation, we can return the focus to what this bill is all about -- a better education for Nova Scotia students, Mr. MacEachern said. Amendments have also been made to strengthen the principle of partnerships. For example, an amendment clarifies that school boards remain accountable to the people who elect them. School advisory council roles and responsibilities will be established with joint agreement by the school board, school council and Department of Education and Culture. No power of the school board can be transferred to a school advisory council without the agreement of the school board. As well, school advisory councils will not hire and fire teachers. To promote equity, the decisions of school advisory councils are balanced with a provincial responsibility for curriculum and standards. This will ensure students have an equal opportunity to a high quality education wherever they attend school. To strengthen the commitment to African Canadian education beyond the creation of a Council on African Canadian Education, school boards will implement programs and policies and include information on African Canadians in learning materials. To ensure the rights and interests of the Mi'kmaq are addressed, a Council on Mi'kmaq Education will also be created, with similar responsibilities to the Council on African Canadian Education. The Education Act has also been amended to promote the principle of inclusion for students with special needs. The right of parents to choose home schooling for their child has also been strengthened. As well, home schooling will be monitored by the department, not school boards. To promote safe, orderly schools, the penalty clause has been clarified to apply only to people who threaten students, teachers or other staff, or who cause a disturbance in school or on school grounds. The penalty clause will not apply to roles and responsibilities of teachers, parents, students and others. I want to thank the groups and individuals who met or contacted me over the past two weeks, and in fact the past two years, Mr. MacEachern said. By listening to these groups, we can all be assured our new Education Act will support a better education and a better future for young Nova Scotians. Further amendments are also possible, as the Law Amendments Committee continues to meet. -30- Contact: Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615 trp Nov. 20, 1995