New Brunswick education officials are launching a pilot project that gives teachers up to 10 extra Fridays for planning and professional learning.
The initiative is set to begin this fall in 37 Anglophone schools and is designed to improve teacher support and boost student outcomes.
Education Minister Claire Johnson said the province is listening to parents and discussing approaches with early childhood centres to support younger students.
“Especially for the younger ones, parents ask what will happen when teachers are in professional learning mode, so engagement with early childhood centres is certainly part of that,” she said.
“Now, for the older learners, I see an opportunity for self-directed learning.”
Johnson added that the extra days offer teenagers and middle school students time to catch up on homework or exercise, among other ideas.
Peter Lagacy, president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Union, welcomed the change.
He said the extra time will give educators the space to plan and collaborate effectively.
“I think it’s got the chance to transform education in the province,” Lagacy said, adding that enhanced teacher support could lead to improved classroom outcomes.
Parent leader Laura Lynn Steeves, chair of the Parent School Support Committee, stressed that the new schedule must address family needs.
“Parents want to know that while teachers are in PD sessions, there are clear plans in place to support young students at home,” she said.
Steeves emphasized that clear communication and regular feedback from families will be crucial to the pilot’s success.
Provincial officials say the experiment will be closely tracked over the school year.
They will monitor key indicators such as teacher retention, classroom engagement, and student performance to determine whether the new calendar model benefits the province’s education system.