The Green Party of Nova Scotia is committed to the principles of lifelong learning. From preschool through post-secondary to seniors, we recognize the importance of education for providing the stimulation and tools for everyone to participate successfully in society. Education is one of the building blocks for a prosperous sustainable future.
We understand that educating youth to succeed in the 21st century economy requires the development of innovative curriculum and investment in technologies for classrooms across the province. We also understand new technologies in the classroom need to be paired with professional development for teachers, to ensure they are acquainted with the best practices for using these tools. These requirements put a demand on smaller local schools
The Green Party is concerned that the benefits of these local schools are not being fully valued in closure decisions. Schools are at the heart of a community. Local schools provide better integration of educational programs with parents and caregivers, facilitate access to extra-curricular activities, and provide many important services to their communities including space for vibrant community events.
The Green Party recognizes that growing numbers of Nova Scotia children and youth require additional assistance in their classrooms and communities. We believe the school should be a place of whole-child development. In addition to traditional curriculum, children and youth require training in social, emotional and psychological literacy. By establishing a formal interdepartmental strategy involving the social services, health, and education departments, educators will be provided with the support required to address more of their students’ needs.
- The Green Party supports a comprehensive education strategy that:
- upholds the principles of lifelong learning, and addresses the educational needs of all citizens
- supports teachers and public school administrators in rural, urban, and suburban community schools
- addresses the challenges of implementing standardized curriculum with diverse populations of learners and in varied facilities
- engages children and youth with their communities in meaningful ways.
- The Green Party holds that an education strategy should:
- be developed through broad consultation
- be an inter-departmental strategy which weaves together education, health and community services to nurture whole-child development, and life-long learning
- encourage excellence among educators
- explore alternative models of educating children and adults with special learning needs and developmental disorders, toward discovering options designed to maximize their potential for healthy and complete integration into the community
- be designed to ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to education within or near their home communities
- ensure the equitable distribution of resources and technology among all schools in the province
- ensure that all new educational institutions are built to be energy and water efficient
- include means by which to engage children and youth creatively and meaningfully with their communities through school sponsored volunteerism and cultural programs
- utilize online collaborative technology to allow educators across the province to share their best practices and creative strategies
- The Green Party supports a full evaluation of post-secondary student financing which would encompass:
- the effects of student debt on the long-term financial security of graduates and the province
- a cost-benefit analysis of additional funding directed to lower tuition at Nova Scotia’s universities
- a system of student loans for which parental annual income is not a criteria
- a strategy for debt reduction for Nova Scotian students with post-secondary education who continue to work in the province for a set number of years after graduation
- The Green Party supports curriculum development to better reflect the history of the diverse people of the province.
- The Green Party will encourage universities and community colleges to be aware of and responsive to the training of people for the lifetime stewardship of products.