Education Reform Concerns: Parents, Stakeholders Express Concerns Over Manitoba Government Plans

Parents in Manitoba have expressed over the proposed changes to the province’s education system.

The Progressive Conservative government plans to eliminate all but one of Manitoba’s elected school boards, merge school divisions and set up a province-wide education authority.

Education Minister, Cliff Cullen said Monday changes to kindergarten to Grade 12 schooling are aimed at cutting $40 million in administration costs and redirecting the money to the classroom.

A bill before the legislature would replace elected school boards in 37 school divisions with the exception of those governing the French school division.

The government says that would make decisions more local and more centralized while community councils would be set up at every school to involve parents.