As N.L. students struggle, province looks to revamp education system

Newfoundland and Labrador's education department is looking at tailoring the school curriculum to adapt to different student learning styles, as it battles increasing violence in school, chronic absenteeism, and disengaged students.

The government released the interim Education Accord N.L. report Friday morning — part of the province's plan to revamp the education system. 

The department says students are struggling, and education workers are dealing with challenges like chronic absenteeism, mental health issues, increased violence, and young people struggling to catch up from learning lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report noted that only 23 per cent of junior high students and 24 per cent of high school students reported being engaged in learning, according to data from the province.

"Education Accord NL is working on a plan to ensure students and learners at all levels receive the educational services that they need. That they are prepared for a modern, global economy, and that they develop strong decision-making skills to foster positive health and wellbeing," said Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell.

The report looks at four areas — early learning, education engagement and transformation, health and well-being, and post-secondary education throughout a person's life.

It outlines the need to focus on inclusivity and civic engagement, along with better teaching of financial and digital literacy.

Part of the work is also to redesign curricula, with a more learning-centric approach — meaning a student's education could conform to their learning style.

The work would also examine course outcomes to allow for more creative freedom in what success looks like, and evaluating potentially outdated graduation requirements, the minister said.

It's not clear how government plans to implement that approach.

Province can do more, leaders say

The report also outlines a need to better help students transition into post-secondary education, and overcome barriers when it comes to finances, mental health or overall preparedness.

Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the lowest adult literacy rates in Canada, according to the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, which notes 60 per cent of adults have inadequate literacy skills.

Those running post-secondary institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador say that while students don't have to have everything figured out by the time they reach post-secondary, they do need more supports to make the transition.

"There's no right or wrong path," Lisa Lovelady, academic vice-president and COO of Academy Canada, told CBC News.

"It's more important to know what are all the options, so that someone can make an informed decision. And also, take the pressure off. It's not one decision. It's ok, you don't have to know your life path at 16 or 17 years old."

Asked if she believes students in the K-12 education system are being adequately prepared for post-secondary, she said teachers are trying their best — but believes there is room for improvement, as teachers are being pulled in many different directions filling gaps in education.

Jennifer Lokash, provost and vice-president, academic, at Memorial University, said she believes the school also has a role to play. MUN has been focusing on student retention following a total enrolment decrease of 5.4 per cent from last fall, and Lokash said the school is particularly focused on first-year students.

"We can definitely see an opportunity there to do better for our first-year students and returning students," she said.

"That means, I think, providing a first-year experience that really helps with that university readiness, you know, being prepared to do the type of learning that's going to happen in the succeeding years."

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