FREDERICTON (GNB) – The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, in partnership with the seven school districts, is organizing regional consultations in several New Brunswick communities.
These consultation sessions will provide an opportunity for students, teachers, parents, school employees and community partners to meet with Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy and share their feedback on the ideas presented in Succeeding at Home: A green paper on education in New Brunswick. Ideas in the green paper build upon the foundation of the 10-year education plans to include New Brunswickers in the process of developing new ways to manage the education system.
“Over the past year, I have had discussions with students, educators, parents, and other stakeholders on how we can build a world-class education system,” said Cardy. “I am consistently impressed with the excellent dialogue that has been carried out previously, including through the education summit and green paper. I look forward to the opportunity to hear directly from even more New Brunswickers on how we can improve our education system.”
The consultation sessions will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the following dates in the following communities and in the languages indicated:
- Jan. 23 – Sackville at the Sackville Town Hall council chambers (in English);
- Jan. 29 – Edmundston at Cité des Jeunes A.-M.-Sormany (in French);
- Feb. 4 – Saint John at Harbour View High School (in English);
- Feb. 5 – Riverview at Riverview High School (in English);
- Feb. 6 – Moncton at École L'Odyssée (in French);
- Feb. 10 – Fredericton at Fredericton High School (in English);
- Feb. 11 – Miramichi at Miramichi Valley High School (in English); and
- Feb. 12 – Tracadie at Polyvalente W.-Arthur-Losier (in French).
In the event of a storm, consultation dates may be rescheduled to either Feb. 13, 18 or 19.
The consultation sessions are open to the public. Stakeholder groups, including the Premier’s Council on Disabilities, the New Brunswick Association for Community Living, Dialogue NB, as well as representatives from each political party represented in the legislative assembly, have been invited to participate.
“I encourage everyone to read the green paper, come out and voice their thoughts on the future of education in New Brunswick,” said Cardy.
In Rexton and Fredericton, Cardy will also meet students from aboriginal communities.
Following the publication of the green paper on education last October, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development held a three-day summit in Fredericton, at which teachers, students, parents, early childhood educators, education and business stakeholders shared their views.
“Our education system faces significant challenges, but our government is committed to building a world-class education system,” said Cardy. “Our students and teachers deserve action, based on evidence-based research and best practices, to ensure their well-being and success.”