Proposed changes to the Education Act would respond to changes in the education system and respond to feedback from Albertans.
If passed, the Education Amendment Act, 2025, would respond to feedback from parents and education partners. These changes would reflect the wide range of programming that private schools offer, strengthen democratic accountability in school boards and increase clarity and efficiency in the teacher discipline process. If passed, the act would also align school board and francophone school boards' joint use and planning agreement requirements with their municipal partners. Finally, changes to the Education Act would allow displaced Jasper residents to vote and run in school board elections.
"We are committed to a strong and reactive education system that meets the needs of students, teachers and communities. These proposed changes would respond to the ever-changing education landscape and the feedback we received from Albertans and education partners."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
Language change in legislation
Proposed changes to the Education Act would change the term private school' to independent school' throughout legislation to reflect the wide range of programming and school choice independent schools provide for Alberta families. This proposed change is a result of feedback from the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta.
"The Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta wishes to express its sincere gratitude for this change in language. The shift to the term 'independent school' more accurately reflects the reality that while our schools operate under independent school authorities, they are part of the collective system of education in Alberta. We welcome this adoption of more inclusive language that will bring us into alignment with our neighboring provinces."
John Jagersma, executive director, Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta
Stronger democratic accountability
Proposed changes would strengthen democratic accountability by removing the ability of school boards or francophone school boards to disqualify an elected trustee over code of conduct breaches, leaving those decisions in the hands of voters. These changes are proposed based on feedback from the public and education partners and would align with the Municipal Government Act.
Improving the teacher discipline process
Proposed changes to the Education Act would improve clarity and efficiency in the teacher discipline process by:
- Allowing administrators to delegate reporting requirements and other complainant roles.
- Eliminating duplicate reporting requirements to decrease administrative burden.
- Enabling administrators to be informed about ongoing complaints when a teacher, principal or assistant principal becomes employed by a different school authority.
- Clarifying that the chair of the hearing committee may apply to the court for an order of compliance when necessary.
Additionally, changes to the Education Act would introduce a $250 fee for complainant appeals, which would be refundable if the appeal is successful.
Clarifying joint use and planning agreements
School boards and francophone school boards won't have to enter joint use and planning agreements with municipalities that are exempt from this requirement by Municipal Affairs. The minister of education will have similar regulatory powers as the minister of municipal affairs, allowing them to set criteria, requirements and exemptions for joint use agreements. These changes are based on feedback from municipalities, school boards and francophone school boards to ensure better consistency and cooperation between education and municipal partners.
"These changes pave the way for stronger collaboration and local flexibility, helping schools and communities thrive together. Empowering both education and municipal partners ensures smarter planning for the future."
Mike McMann, superintendent, Fort Vermilion School Division
Ensuring voting rights for displaced Jasper residents
Proposed changes to the Education Act would align with planned changes to the Local Authorities Election Act to ensure that Jasper residents displaced by the July 2024 wildfires can vote and run as candidates in the 2025 and 2026 school board and francophone school board elections.
Changes to school property ownership
The Education Act would also be changed to enable Alberta Infrastructure to own new kindergarten to Grade 12 schools and playgrounds and lease them to school boards, francophone school boards and charter schools for operation and maintenance.
"Our priority is to ensure Alberta's students have access as soon as possible to the state-of-the-art facilities they need to learn and succeed. The proposed changes would modernize public property management, enhancing accountability and transparency with public assets like new schools."
Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure
Quick facts:
- If passed, changes related to private school terminology, teacher discipline and joint use and planning agreements would come into effect upon proclamation.
- If passed, amendments related to trustee accountability would come into effect on the day following the next local authorities' general election, in October 2025.
- Changes related to voting rights for Jasper residents would come into effect with the changes in Municipal Affairs' Local Authorities Election Act that are part of Municipal Affairs' Elections Statutes Amendment Act planned for spring 2025.
- Changes related to school property ownership would come into effect at the same time as the Appropriation Act, 2025.
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