Department of Education
Government of New Brunswick
Canada

The New Brunswick Department of Education has responsibility for public education (kindergarten through Grade 12), post-secondary education policy with focus on the university sector, distance education and public libraries.

Organization of the School System

Since 1967, the provincial government has had sole responsibility for financing public schools and is committed to equal opportunity for all students. The Minister of Education has the authority to prescribe curriculum and establishes educational goals and standards.

Serving Canada’s only officially bilingual province, New Brunswick’s education system offers students the opportunity to learn in both French and English through two parallel but separate education systems. Each linguistic sector of the Department of Education is responsible for its own curriculum and assessment.

The public education system has 14 school districts -- five French and nine English. District Education Councils (DECs), consisting of publicly and locally elected members, are responsible for establishing the direction and priorities for the school district and for making decisions as to how the districts and schools are operated.

Post-secondary and Adult Education

The Department of Education works closely with public universities, private institutions and community learning networks to promote life-long learning opportunities for New Brunswick residents. It delivers government-sponsored student financial assistance to New Brunswick residents pursuing post-secondary studies.

Through some 200 Community Access Centres established by Connect NB Branché, New Brunswick adults are able to access current information technology and training in their own communities. Through TeleEducation NB, New Brunswick is a leader in the development and promotion of e-learning. In order to promote the need for improved literacy levels, the department works with community partners to fund and support community-based and family literacy partnerships, and with companies to set up workplace literacy initiatives.

In partnership with participating municipalities, the department operates 62 public libraries and four bookmobiles under the direction of the NB Public Library Service. The public library system promotes literacy and lifelong learning to New Brunswickers by offering free and equitable access to information, library programs and services, collections and technology.