According to a Jan. 6 news release, the province’s government “is introducing several new measures to help improve student safety and bring greater accountability, discipline and transparency for teachers through legislative amendments.”
The move, which will be made through the new Education Administration Amendment Act, was announced by acting Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt.
In a statement, Schmidt said there “is nothing more important than ensuring that children are safe.”
“Teachers have a great role to play in a child’s life and parents and caregivers are entrusting teachers with their children’s education and well-being,” said Schmidt. “Our government is strengthening the teacher professional conduct review process through an online registry and the appointment of an independent commissioner, which will give parents and caregivers reassurance that reviews will be done in reliable, transparent way that keeps student safety at the centre.”
According to the release, the “new teacher certification and professional conduct framework” includes a publicly available online registry of certified teachers in Manitoba. It includes information on whether a teacher’s certificate has been suspended or cancelled.
Also, a “new teacher professional conduct review process" will be led by an independent commissioner, whose role it will be to receive and investigate complaints, “facilitate consent resolution agreements and refer cases to a hearing panel for adjudication.”
The hearing panel, which will be made up of teachers, members of the public and representatives nominated by the Manitoba School Boards Association, includes at least one lawyer: Raven-Dominique Gobeil, senior in-house counsel for the First Nations Family Advocate Office.
Noni Classen, director of education and support services for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said students and their parents “will benefit from enhanced protections and transparency.”
“We believe these changes will enhance the trust and confidence students and their families have in Manitoba’s school system,” said Classen.
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