MTS Vice-President Nathan Martindale represented President James Bedford and the 16,000 members of Society at the opening of the second session of the 42nd Manitoba legislature. The Throne Speech offered no education-related surprises for Manitoba teachers.
Teachers across Manitoba were watching for hints of any new initiatives or announcements during the opening of the second session of the 42nd Manitoba Legislature, November 19, 2019. The Provincial Government highlighted the following priorities under Education Reform, most of which had previously been announced.
-
- Introduce a modernized drug prevention curriculum in schools next year.
- Construct 13 new schools over the next 10 years in addition to the seven already committed to, including an additional 1,510 school-based child-care spaces to be added as part of the 20 New Schools Guarantee.
- Launch a $25-million Teachers’ Idea Fund to support solutions brought forward to streamline operations by teachers, and improve educational outcomes across the province with successful applicants announced in 2020.
- Undertake a mandate review of the Department of Education to prepare to implement reforms recommended by the Manitoba Commission on Kindergarten to Grade 12 review.
The speech, read by Chief Justice Richard Chartier, administrator of the Province of Manitoba, put it this way:
“Teachers are at the heart of our education system, and their dedication and enthusiasm are critical to improving education outcomes. That is why your government will initiate the $25 million teacher ideas fund to support innovative solutions brought forward to streamline operations by teachers and improve educational outcomes across the province.
“Successful applicants will be announced in 2020. In anticipation of the recommendations from the Commission on Kindergarten to Grade 12 review, Manitoba Education has been directed to undertake a mandate review to prepare to implement reforms that will achieve better outcomes for our students.”