FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is asking educators for feedback on how to address administrative overload in the classroom.

“Bureaucratic red tape and unnecessary paperwork are common obstacles identified by educators that can distract them from their core mandate: supporting students,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy. “This initiative will help reduce the administrative burden placed on teachers so they can focus on creating a world-class education learning experience in the classroom.”

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has launched the Red Tape Challenge in Education to allow teachers, educational assistants and other professionals across the system to make their opinions known. The challenge will be an ongoing process to help inform future policies and processes.

Submissions will be screened to ensure they are consistent with department values and an appropriate response and timeframe will be assigned based on the scope of the proposal.

The challenge is one of the actions outlined in Succeeding at home: a green paper on education. Submissions can be e-mailed to consultation.eecd-edpe@gnb.ca. The challenge is also meant to promote discussion and stakeholder engagement in anticipation of the Education Summit, happening Oct. 16-18 in Fredericton.