Nova Scotia education survey deadline looming

The Nova Scotia panel reviewing public education is reminding people that Friday is the deadline to make a submission.

More than 17,000people have already completed a survey.

The province is reviewing every aspect of its public school system, from the length of the school day to the idea of scrapping the summer break.

Nothing is off the table

"It is a broad review of what we deliver and how we deliver it in this province, said Karen Casey, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

"There has not been a comprehensive review of education in 25 years and a lot has changed."

Casey said nothing is off the table.

The panel will study the comments and other information over the summer.

The head of the panel is Myra Freeman, a former lieutenant governor. She and five other panellists will get public feedback. She said the results will depend on what they hear from the public.

The other panellists are:

• Tina Dixon, of Bear River
• Mike Henderson, of Brookfield
• Kyle Hill, of Toronto, formerly of Yarmouth
• Gordon MacInnis, of Glace Bay
• Donna O'Connell, of Pugwash

The panel will look at curriculum, technology and student performance, along with whatever else comes up.

Report due in October

When announcing the review duringa speech to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in February, Premier Stephen McNeil said, "We need to make sure that we're providing the next generation of young Nova Scotians with the skills required to meetthe ever-changing demands of our economy."

A report to the education minister is expected in October.