11 recommendations promising to fix N.B.’s anglophone education system to take years to implement
It’s another report aimed at fixing New Brunswick’s education system that’s been in the spotlight all year for the challenges it’s facing.
The report stems from a steering committee sparked by consultations that happened in the winter when the province attempted to change the system’s French immersion program.
That plan was scrapped, but instead the committee made short-term and long-term recommendations with a goal of finally addressing longstanding issues.
The long-term recommendations were released Thursday, with a promise from Education Minister Bill Hogan to address them all, while recognising that could take years.
New Brunswick Teachers Association executive director Ardith Shirley – a former teacher and principal – said she’s hopeful this time, this report will actually stick.
“Do we have the momentum in New Brunswick to take that and keep that path forward to actually see them come to fruition? And that's the part that I think might be different this time, or at least I would hope will be different,” she said.
Some of the 11 recommendations include:
- Address chronic absenteeism with a province-wide action plan
- Develop a new classroom composition model
- Establish a plan to strengthen French language learning
- See K-8 students get 30 minutes of physical education daily
- Improve recruitment and retention of teachers
Hogan said there is a maximum of 21-29 students in a classroom, in accordance with the teachers’ collective agreement. But, he feels there are ways classroom composition could be improved while adhering to the agreement.
“There are areas where we can reduce the number of students that have higher needs and give them greater support in a class where we could put students that have lesser needs and can achieve better academically in a larger class,” he said.
He welcomes a deadline, as part of these recommendations, of March 31, 2024, to come up with an outline on how these improvements will actually happen.
The report states the recommendations “will take some years to implement.”
“Budget and resource impacts will need to be considered and, in some cases, working with partners to consider policy, regulation and collective agreement implications will be necessary…,” it states.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Will jurors believe Michael Cohen? Defense keys on witness' credibility at Trump's hush money trial
With prosecutors' hush money case against Donald Trump barreling toward its end, their star witness will be back in the hot seat Thursday as defense lawyers try to chip away at Michael Cohen's crucial testimony implicating the former president.
DEVELOPING Latest updates on the major wildfires currently burning in Canada
Thousands of Canadians have been displaced as fires burn in Alberta, B.C. and Manitoba. Here are the latest updates.
There's a new workers' rights treaty in Canada, but will it actually protect you?
Although a global workers' treaty has been in force in Canada since January, an employment lawyer believes it won't do anything more to protect employees from violence and harassment.
Protecting your car from the growing risk of keyless vehicle thefts
Auto technology has evolved and many newer cars use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys. But that technology also makes things easier for thieves.
Slovak prime minister in serious but stable condition after assassination attempt
Slovak politicians have called for calm in the Central European country after Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times by a would-be assassin on Wednesday, a rare instance of political violence that came as a shock despite deep political polarization.
U.S. intelligence officials wanted to meet with Transport Canada's UFO 'lead'
Canada's transportation department had a UFO 'lead' who tried to 'quell' media interest and planned to meet with U.S. intelligence officials.
OPINION If you think you can't focus for long, you're right: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.
NEW Victoria Day travel plans? Here are some tips for a smooth trip
May 20 is Victoria Day. If you're going across the border this long weekend, follow these tips for a smoother trip.
Chief says grave search at B.C. residential school brings things 'full circle'
Chief Robert Michell says relief isn't the right word to describe his reaction as the search begins for unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school he attended in northern British Columbia.