The province is asking parents, teachers, students and the public for input on how to improve New Brunswick’s education system.
A new “green paper” report was released Thursday, and contains plans and policies that will “transform” the system.
Education Minister Dominic Cardy says the green paper aims to support teachers, engage and challenge students, including creating better communication policies, and partnering with universities and industries to provide more opportunities to students post-graduation.
The province also hopes to expand the I.B. program and introduce more language classes. The report also says it will ensure that all students have a minimum conversational understanding of French by the time they graduate.
The report states, research shows that differences in development can be profound between younger children, and every student develops in his or her own time and at their own level.
“There are few activities in life where people are grouped based on their age,” said Cardy. “In order to provide students with the skills they need to be life-long learners, they need to receive support and have opportunities to excel.”
Actions and ideas include:
- replacing early year grades with flexible learning environments;
- partnering with post-secondary institutions and the private sector to provide additional opportunities to students;
- building on the Integrated Service Delivery model to better address the needs of students; and
- expanding the International Baccalaureate program.
The paper also claims that between 2018 and 2027 there will be around 9,144 job openings in the construction sector alone.
The green paper calls for the government to work with industry and the New Brunswick community colleges to develop learning partnerships, and expand the availability of physical and virtual learning environments so that interested students can learn real life, on the job skills.
The green paper proposes other actions and ideas to ensure students and their parents are supported, including:
- strengthening student relationships in the anglophone and francophone sectors;
- developing guidelines regarding the use of technology in the classroom;
- expanding First Nations language courses; and
- improving civics education.
Other ideas proposed in the green paper that aim to ensure educators are supported, include:
- protecting the health and safety of teachers and other adults in the school system by strengthening policies;
- examining the structure and mandate of the department, school districts and district education councils;
- empowering principals by giving them the tools to lead;
- creating parent-teacher communication policies; and
- reducing political interference through multi-year budgeting.
Changes will be introduced as early as the 2020-21 school year and will continue through to 2030.
New Brunswickers can submit their feedback online.
The provincial government will also host a summit to solicit further input and ideas. It will be held from Oct. 16 to 18.
