News release

Full-Day Primary Now in Effect

Education and Culture (to July 1999)

All school boards in Nova Scotia must offer full-day Primary in September, due to a regulation change approved by cabinet today.

"I want parents, teachers and children to know: Primary is safe this year and every year," said Wayne Gaudet, Minister of Education and Culture. "This means Primary -- full day, every day -- wherever children attend school."

The new regulation specifies that Primary must be offered every day of the week. As well, the average number of hours a day is raised from a minimum of three hours to four -- as required in grades 1 and 2. The "average" is included within the regulations to give school boards flexibility to have shorter Primary days early in the school year, and longer days as children become accustomed to attending school.

"The government wants children to have every opportunity, from the first day they begin school," Mr. Gaudet said. "Full-day Primary is an important part of this commitment."