Education Minister Nancy Allan introduced legislation aimed at better preparing students to succeed in school and beyond including requiring young people to continue pursuing their education until they are 18.
“This bill is about giving young people every possible opportunity to succeed,” Allan said. “In the modern economy, nothing is more important than keeping young people engaged in school and in their education. Parents, educators and communities all have a part to play in building a stronger education system.”
The legislation would require school boards to establish policies and procedures to support students in remaining engaged in school or in activities and programs which provide educational benefits. Policies and procedures would be established to assist pupils with difficulties in attending school and regulations under the act would outline the format and timing of reporting absences to parents and school attendance officers.
Existing guidelines around truancy will be clarified to ensure attempts are made to engage the student at school or in an alternative activity prior to any warning or a fine being issued. A new fine would be created for 16 or 17 year olds who refused to attend.
“The key to keeping students engaged is to help every student find the path to success that works for them, whether that is through the traditional classroom, alternative programming, apprenticeships or in a technical-vocational setting,” said Allan. “Raising the compulsory education age to 18 will help prepare our students for a successful future, whether that is in the workplace, a training or apprenticeship program, or a college or university.”
Amendments would also require early-learning or child-care facilities to be included in all new schools and in major renovations. This builds on the government’s commitment under the Family Choices plan to invest $37 million in converting surplus school space into child-care centres, the minister said.
“We want to build an education system which is as seamless as possible, from early learning all the way to post-secondary education and careers,” she added. “Building daycares in schools will help our young people get an early start on their education, while making life easier for parents.”
The legislation would also build upon the province’s recently released assessment policy by prohibiting school divisions from adopting ‘no fail’ policies. Amendments would also provide the minister with regulation-making powers concerning the form and content of pupil report cards and the scheduling of non-instructional days for teachers.
“A parent-friendly report card and common in-service days are important innovations, which will help parents be engaged in their kids’ education will help improve student outcomes,” Allan said.
The minister noted that Manitoba’s graduation rate increased to 80.9 per cent in 2009 from 72.4 per cent in 2001 and said this legislation would build on positive measures taken in partnership with school divisions over the last decade including:
• Meeting or exceeding the commitment to increase annual funding for public education by the rate of economic growth. Since 1999, public-school funding has increased by 42 per cent, a total of $323.2 million in new money to schools over the last 11 budgets.
• Announcing $3 million for innovative community-based education programs for at-risk youth through Bright Futures including $425,000 for Pathways to Education. The government has tripled funding for Bright Futures since it was introduced in 2008.
• Providing $600,000 for the new Student Success Initiative pilot project in Winnipeg, Lakeshore and Kelsey school divisions. This project is targeted at supporting students to help them stay in school and graduate.
• Increasing special-needs funding in each budget since 1999. Annual funding is $185.4 million, $62 million or 50 per cent more than in 1999.
• Recognizing the increased role of immigration in the province’s education system. Funding for English as an additional language has increased by 284 per cent since 1999 to over $7 million in 2010 from $2.5 million in 1999.
• Commencing a new initiative in 2011 with school divisions to reduce truancy including tracking and reporting student attendance.
