In a spring online survey, the provincial government asked students, parents, and community members what students need to be successful in school. Nearly 9,000 people had their say. According to the province, students highlighted quality teachers and staff, and a comfortable, quiet learning environment. They also identified variety of programs and electives as important. Non-students who responded, identified as important, quality teachers, issues at home, and access to supports including education assistants. Some students felt classroom environment and student behaviours can be a barrier to learning. The province says the survey and feedback from engagement sessions with education partners and school boards will be used to build a framework outlining the key areas of focus in education over the next 10 years. The framework is to be presented to the Minister of Education in the fall.

The NDP says the results of their education survey show a deepening crisis in classrooms. Over 14 hundred people answered the survey questions, almost 40 per cent of whom were teachers. According to leader Ryan Meili, staff morale and learning conditions are suffering as kids face more complex classrooms with fewer supports. According to the survey, 83 per cent of teachers and 77 per cent of Educational Assistants said the situation in classrooms had gotten worse in the least three years. That view drops to 56 per cent when it’s parents answering the question. Education critic Carla Beck accuses the government of letting students, teachers, and parents down through cuts and under-funding.