Changes proposed to schools act

Education Minister John Haggie introduced amendments to the Schools Act in the House of Assembly on Monday.

If passed, the amendments will coincide with the ongoing work on the integration of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District into the Department of Education.

The proposed changes to the Act include the introduction of an advisory council on education.

There will also be amendments to the governance structure of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, including removing the requirement for an elected board at the district and replacing the "Director of Schools" position with a new "Superintendent" position.

Additional amendments to help modernize the Act include updating the powers and duties of the board and the Francophone School District and incorporating gender-neutral language.