Liberal education reforms remove local decision-making voices

Centralizing the system is the wrong choice for education

HALIFAX – The Liberal government introduced legislation today to eliminate all English language school boards and centralize decision making in Halifax.

"Stephen McNeil pushed the teachers to the breaking point rather than consult and is still marching forward with changes that will be harmful to our education system,” said NDP Education Spokesperson Claudia Chender. “There is a lot of work to do in our schools, including providing more supports in the classroom, but this bill will do nothing to improve conditions for students, which should be our number one focus.”

Eliminating all English school boards in the province will mean the Liberals will remove the only level of elected office where women are equally represented and there are dedicated seats for African Nova Scotians and Mi’kmaq representatives.

“Centralizing decision-making was the wrong course in health care and it’s the wrong choice for our education system,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “You only have to read the newspaper to see that removing local voices in health care has not improved patient care.Doing the same in education won’t help students.”

The government’s legislation will go to second reading tomorrow. Members of the public will have the opportunity to speak to Law Amendments Committee next week.

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