Education Minister Nancy Allan is welcoming back students and teachers this week as schools open today and most students return to classes by Thursday.
“Our government believes education provides the foundation for Manitoba children and youth to become healthy adults, enjoy a high quality of life and contribute to building strong communities province-wide,” Allan said. “That is why we will continue working with stakeholders this school year to find innovative ways to help students succeed, motivate them to stay in school and increase graduation rates across the province.”
This year, the minister said she will be clarifying and strengthening rules around ‘no-fail’ and late assignment policies. These changes will be aimed at ensuring the public school system provides students with a rigorous education while improving classroom standards across the province.
“I want to reassure parents that we are fundamentally committed to preserving and protecting the integrity of the education system,” Allan said. “Decisions about passing and failing are and will continue to be made by educators in consultation with parents. Further, teachers need to be able to make sure there are consequences for inappropriate behaviour like handing in assignments late. To that end, we will be strengthening these rules during the coming school year.”
New initiatives will also be unveiled aimed at keeping students in school and boosting graduation rates.
“Several initiatives are already in place to help students be more successful in school such as mentoring, help with homework, and increased parental and community involvement with school activities. Targeted, stable investments have led to an 8.5 per cent increase in Manitoba’s graduation rate over the past eight years,” Allan said.
The province’s graduation rate increased to 80.9 per cent in June 2009 from 72.4 per cent in 2001. Statistics are based on the number of students who graduate within four years of beginning Grade 9.
“I’d also like to encourage Manitobans to help start the new school year safely by paying attention to increased pedestrian, bicycle, school-bus and other vehicle traffic, and watching out for students as they travel to and from school during the exciting and hectic first week,” Allan said.
