Release
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
February 04, 2026
FREDERICTON (GNB) – The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development continues to focus on initiatives aimed at improving literacy and numeracy among students and at lowering rates of chronic absenteeism.
New data indicates progress has been made on some educational priorities over the past year, while improvements in other areas are yet to be seen. Chronic absenteeism across the education system has been reduced. Targets to improve literacy in the anglophone sector were surpassed, while targets to improve literacy in the francophone sector, and numeracy in both sectors, were missed.
“Education is the foundation of a strong future, because our kids are our future workforce and the leaders of tomorrow,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “We continue to focus on making progress and reporting publicly on the results so New Brunswickers can see what’s working and what still needs attention.”
Over the last year, the government has expanded the school breakfast program to all students; redirected $50 million to classroom resources; launched a strategy to retain and recruit teachers and allied health professionals to the education system; and completed consultations for new education plans.
“We knew coming in that the issues in our education system had not appeared overnight and would not be fixed overnight,” said Johnson. “The school breakfast program, the redirection of resources, a retention and recruitment plan, and the new education plans coming this spring are just the first steps in the long-term work we know is needed.”
Data outlining the progress on these educational priorities and others is available online.
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Media Contact(s)
Charles Renshaw, communications, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, [email protected].