A recent report from provincial child and youth advocate Kelly Lamrock has brought attention to hundreds of students in New Brunswick’s school system who are reportedly being deprived of their right to education. Lamrock’s findings suggest that school districts are increasingly implementing partial-day plans for students with disabilities or behavioral challenges, which involves removing them from classrooms and providing instruction in an alternative setting.
During a press conference in Fredericton, Lamrock revealed that his office had identified 344 students in the anglophone sector and an estimated 150 students in the francophone system who were on partial-day plans but not receiving any educational instruction during these periods. He emphasized that this practice violates education laws, which permit placing students in alternative settings but do not allow for the denial of educational services.
Lamrock questioned the Department of Education’s justification for these partial-day plans, citing Policy 322, which allows for a variation in the learning environment when teaching a student in a common setting poses “undue hardship.” However, Lamrock stressed that even in such cases, the duty to educate the child must not be compromised.
While the school districts did not respond to requests for comment, Education Minister Bill Hogan acknowledged the need for a review of how many students are on partial-day plans. He refrained from confirming whether he agreed with Lamrock’s assessment but emphasized the importance of personalized learning plans for students on partial-day schedules.
Haley Flaro, executive director of Ability New Brunswick, expressed concern over the partial-day plans, stating that sending children home has become an easy solution in an inclusive education system that often lacks resources. She highlighted instances where parents lost jobs or homes due to these plans and emphasized the need for better disability supports from schools and Social Development.
Lamrock’s report also noted that children in the care of the Department of Social Development were significantly more likely to be placed on partial days. He plans to follow up on the issue in 12 months and expects the government to clarify laws to districts and teachers.
New Brunswick Teachers’ Association president Peter Lagacy echoed concerns about resource shortages, stating that daily staffing vacancies have led to essential services being compromised and urging the government to improve conditions for students and teachers alike.