Legislation has been introduced by the provincial government that would amend the Education Act to empower the school system and provide increased support for teachers and students.

Proposals set out in the amendments are intended to support teachers in managing their classrooms and to ensure schools offer a positive learning and working environment, free from intimidation and abuse.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy said “Our children deserve a world-class education system and a key element of building it is making sure our legislation meets the needs of the system today. Empowering teachers and principals to make decisions on how to best reach students in their schools and overcome obstacles that make it harder to innovate in the classroom is a critical part of this work.”

The bill includes amendments related to several other topics, including changes to increase transparency as it relates to the investigation process and results of discipline for school personnel; updated language pertaining to references to Indigenous people; modifications to allow for the appointment of sales and recruitment agents to facilitate the sale of educational programs, services and materials both in Canada and abroad; clarification of conflict of interest rules for district education council members, as well as a requirement for a council code of conduct; and changes that will allow teachers with specialized training to administer and interpret a psychoeducational assessment to support the development of a student’s personal learning plan.

The proposed amendments also include housekeeping items intended to ensure the smooth functioning of the education system, including the use of modernized and gender-neutral language, and appropriate policy-making authority to support the school system.

The proposals put forward in the bill are the result of an extensive consultation process with stakeholders within the school system and ongoing collaboration with First Nation communities.

The bill also addresses concerns brought forward by the school districts, district education councils and New Brunswick Teachers’ Federation.