News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--OP/ED ARTICLE-NEW EDUCATION ACT ------------------------------------------------------------ Following is an op/ed article on Nova Scotia's new Education Act by Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern : On Nov. 3, I introduced a progressive new Education Act, focused on supporting students and teachers in the classroom. While the purpose and principles of the bill have been well-received, the wording has caused undue concern and confusion. I want to address these concerns so the purpose and principles are clear to everyone. In fact, we have been working very closely with the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Home Education Association and other groups to address the concerns as they are presented to us. Such dialogue helps me prepare amendments for the Law Amendments Committee, and more importantly, will clarify and strengthen the bill to benefit Nova Scotia students. Because that's what the bill is all about -- supporting student success. The principles in the bill are all tied to this central purpose. One, the act builds on the strength of partnerships in our schools. Students win when parents have the opportunity to work with teachers, and all partners as a team, to support learning. Of course, the province will remain responsible for curriculum and the quality of education. But school advisory councils mean more decisions directly affecting students can be made right in our schools and communities, instead of offices in Halifax. But let me make clear, the councils will be advisory only. Councils will not hire and fire teachers, nor will we have charter schools. School advisory councils simply allow everyone with an interest in education -- parents, teachers, school boards, school support staff, community members and the students themselves -- to work as a team in improving education in our schools. This must be true for all students, which brings me to the second principle. The act is built on the principle of equity. Provincial and regional standards will be in place so that all students have access to a high quality of education, whether they attend school in Donkin, or Digby or Dartmouth. As well, Acadians and Francophones will be able to make decisions about the direction and future of French-language education across the province. And the act would create our first Council on African-Canadian Education. Three, the act promotes safe, orderly schools. Teachers and principals, in consultation with students and their parents, would be given the authority they need to effectively manage their classrooms and schools. For example, too often, we read about people causing trouble in our schools, who don't even attend that school. The act would give teachers and principals the authority to take necessary action to remove such individuals from the school grounds. A penalty clause (Section 142) is also included to apply to people with no business on school grounds. In fact, I will be amending the language of this clause to make clear that the clause would not apply to the roles and responsibilities of teachers, principals school staff, parents or students. Four, the act allows for more dollars to be redirected to the classroom through school board amalgamation, and other management and administrative decisions. And of course, the bill is about accountability for results and for the use of tax dollars. This isn't about a power grab, but about clarifying accountabilities for the school, elected school boards and the minister. For example, school boards are accountable for maintaining and operating their schools, but if a school has not been well maintained, taxpayers turn to the province for a solution. The minister must have accountabilities in place to prevent this from happening. And of course, this bill is built on the principle of fairness for the people who work in education. That's why current contracts, successor rights and the collective bargaining process are protected. That's why the act recognizes the professional role of teachers and principals in our schools. And that's why, for the first time, the important role of support staff in our schools is also recognized. I look forward to presenting amendments to the Law Amendments Committee on Nov. 20 that reconfirm the principles in the act and clarify the language. In particular, I want to thank the groups and individuals who have contacted or met with me over the past two weeks, and in fact, the past two years. As a result, the bill will be strengthened and improved, so we all can be assured our new Education Act will support a better education and a better future for young Nova Scotians. -30- Contact: Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615 trp Nov. 16, 1995