Emotions mixed as students go back to school

It was back to school this morning for thousands of Manitoba school children.

For many it's the first-ever day of full day classes and that takes some adjusting on the part of new pupils — not to mention their parents.

"I had a little meltdown but I'm also looking forward to the future, too," said Sarah Wiebe, whose triplets — two boys and a girl — are starting Grade 1 at Riverview School in Winnipeg.

'I had a little meltdown but I'm also looking forward to the future, too.' — Sarah Wiebe, parent

Wiebe said she is grateful she is returning to work now that her children are in school "because I can't imagine being at home on my own all day."

Brenda Prokopchuk has two children heading into their first full years at Riverview School as well.

She sees the beginning of their school days as a big load off her mind.

"Freedom. For a couple of hours I don't have to worry about where they are or what they are doing, so I know they are in good hands so I can go and have a cup of coffee somewhere," she said.

Most parents who spoke with CBC News said they were well prepared for the first day back to class but staying organized for the rest of the year they say, will be the challenge.

Most of the children who spoke with CBC said they are most looking forward to recess.

Controversial policies to be clarified

Manitoba Education Minister Nancy Allan issued a press release Wednesday, stating the provincial government intends to clarify the rules around no-fail and late assignment policies.

"These changes will be aimed at ensuring the public school system provides students with a rigorous education while improving classroom standards across the province," the release states.

"I want to reassure parents that we are fundamentally committed to preserving and protecting the integrity of the education system," Allan said.

"Decisions about passing and failing are and will continue to be made by educators in consultation with parents.

"Further, teachers need to be able to make sure there are consequences for inappropriate behaviour like handing in assignments late.

"To that end, we will be strengthening these rules during the coming school year."

It's the first time Allan has acknowledged such policies exist.

The provincial government came under fire last year by the opposition Progressive Conservative Party, which called on the NDP to end the no-fail policy.

'Teachers need to be able to make sure there are consequences for inappropriate behaviour like handing in assignments late.' —Education Minister Nancy Allan

Tory leader Hugh McFadyen made the comments after a Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS) poll was published in the January 2010 edition of the Manitoba Teacher magazine.

The poll found 76 per cent of 800 parents contacted randomly by telephone were opposed to a policy that doesn't allow educators to force failing students to repeat a grade.

When Allan was asked about the poll and to respond to McFadyen's remarks, she denied there was such a policy.

"We basically have a regulation and the regulation says that the assessment and promotion of students is from Grades 1 to 12 is basically the responsibility of the principal," she said.

"That's in the Education Administration Act."

McFadyen said the policy may not exist in a formal document, but it is common practice in school divisions and the province has "turned a blind eye" to it.

Real-world realities

The government was also under the microscope in January when McFadyen released a letter that former education minister Peter Bjornson had sent in 2009 to Tory MLA Blaine Pedersen.

The letter said the government discourages teachers from deducting marks from students who are late in submitting assignments.

If a teacher deducts 10 or 20 per cent because a student turns work in late, that mark is not an accurate indicator of what the student has actually learned, Bjornson's letter stated.

After some backlash, the province said in May that it was considering allowing teachers discretion to dock marks from students who miss deadlines.

Allan said the change could better prepare students for real-world realities.