News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--AMENDMENTS STRENGTHEN EDUCATION ACT
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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.
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Contact: Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615
trp Nov. 20, 1995