Minister’s response not good enough on inclusive education

Halifax-- The NDP is calling on Education Minister Zach Churchill to table his implementation plan for inclusive education, after learning the department will not be hiring an executive director to oversee inclusive education, as recommended in the Students First report of the Commission on Inclusive Education.

“Creating a truly inclusive education system is a big job and needs to be done right,” said NDP Education spokesperson Claudia Chender. “The Minister needs to show us how the Students First report is being implemented. If elements of the report are being abandoned, the Minister needs to tell parents, teachers, and other stakeholders why.”

According to documents obtained by the NDP Caucus through a Freedom of Information request, the Department was working on hiring an executive director (ED) but eventually decided that instead it would work to “ensure that each branch and ED has responsibilities grounded in Inclusive Education and it will be embedded in their Employee Development Plans for all staff.” Friday, during question period, Churchill confirmed his department had decided not to hire an Executive Director to oversee inclusive education.

“It’s important that inclusion is embedded in all of the Education Department’s work but the public needs to know there is someone at the top tasked with leading the charge,” said Chender. “The Students First report is clear in its recommendations. The Minister needs to be accountable and tell us what the plan is and who’s in charge.”

The Commission on Inclusive Education released its report in March 2018. It includes a five-year plan to build an inclusive education system in Nova Scotia.

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