News release

Strengthening Local Voices in Public Education

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Province wants input from Nova Scotians – students, staff, families and the public – as it takes initial steps to strengthen local voices in Nova Scotia’s school system.

Ideas on how best to do that will be gathered using an online survey and a platform called ThoughtExchange, with the aim of improving opportunities for school community members to provide input on education policy and decision-making. Feedback will be collected until December 23.

“Our government is listening to Nova Scotians and developing solutions to improve student achievement and well-being,” said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “As part of my mandate, I am committed to enhancing the local voice of families, students and staff, and seeking out ways to improve our public education system.”

Consultations with school advisory councils in both regional centres for education and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) on this topic took place last spring.

Along with the online input, the Department will also conduct focus groups with partners, including school-based staff and advisory bodies. Written feedback can also be submitted by interested parties.

There will be more opportunities over the coming months for the public to provide additional feedback on ways to strengthen local voices in Nova Scotia’s public education system.

Quick Facts:

  • there are about 129,000 students in pre-primary to Grade 12 and 10,000 staff in Nova Scotia’s public education system
  • Minister Druhan’s mandate letter contains a commitment to consult on local voice and decision-making in Nova Scotia’s public education system
  • Minister Druhan regularly visits schools and meets with school staff

Additional Resources:

The Department is collecting input at: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/consultations

Mandate letter of the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Education: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-EECD.pdf