HALIFAX – Empowering school boards to fire teachers for sub-standard performance and increasing the number of credits needed for graduation from high school are among 30 recommendations from a review of Nova Scotia’s education system.
A six-member panel struck in February released its report Thursday based on a public consultation process that saw more than 19,000 people respond to online surveys and another 50,000 submit written responses.
The panel recommends changes in seven key areas including curriculum, teaching and the structure of the school system.
It recommends a redesign of the early elementary curriculum to focus primarily on math and literacy skills and says gaps must be addressed at the junior and senior high school levels in areas such as science, technology, math and financial literacy.
The report says the number of credits required for graduation from high school should be increased from 18 to 21 and the number of free periods should be reduced to a maximum of three in Grades 11 and 12.
Teachers should also be qualified to teach in the subjects in which they are giving instruction.
Education minister Karen Casey said the panel review took nine months and cost $110,000.
With files from Mayya Assouad, Global News
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