The Saskatchewan government announced “enhanced regulations for qualified independent schools” after more than a dozen former students alleged physical, mental, and sexual abuse at Legacy Christian Academy (LCA), formerly called Christian Centre Academy..Education Minister Dustin Duncan made the announcement Thursday..Duncan teared up while discussing how two of his children are in the system and would not want what happened at the LCA to happen to his own or anyone else’s children..The government was under substantial pressure from the NDP and upset residents who help fund the independent schools with provincial taxes, with 50% of the funding coming from the provincial government..READ MORE Alleged abuse revealed at Saskatchewan Christian school, including exorcisms.The province made amendments to the Registered Independent Schools Regulations to increase the accountability for the Qualified Independent Schools (QIS)..The Saskatchewan government can appoint a supervisor to oversee an independent school if it's required..“Student safety is of the utmost importance, and we take all allegations and complaints seriously,” said Duncan. .“We have taken action to ensure all students can feel safe, protected, and respected no matter what school they attend.”.In the changes, the Education minister will appoint an administrator for the 2022-23 school year into three schools where someone named in the lawsuit against the LCA is currently employed..READ MORE Sask Christian school faces $25-million class action lawsuit for alleged abuse.The government has not picked the administrator for the three schools, but the person will hold a Master of Education degree, hold a valid Professional A Teacher’s Certificate, and a minimum of two years of school administration experience..The three schools affected are Grace Christian School, Regent Academy, and the LCA..Each school will receive a once-per-month unscheduled visit, most schools only receive three visits per school year..However, this coming school year, all independent schools will receive an increase in unscheduled visits..The changes came into effect immediately..The ministry of Education can appoint an administrator for a school, put schools on probation, and require all QIS to notify the ministry within 24 hours if there are allegations of criminal activity or a criminal charge of a staff member..The government can suspend or cancel a QIS certification and, after the cancellation, a school can no longer operate legally..NDP Official Opposition Education Critic Matt Love criticized the government for not taking action to stop funding the LCA, as child safety should be the government’s top priority..“This government’s first priority should be ensuring the safety of our children. To neither shut off the tap to Legacy Christian Academy, nor remove alleged abusers from positions of authority is an utter failure of leadership,” Love told the media..“Safety of our children is paramount ... there’s no room for half-measures and passing the buck.”.Love wants to know why Duncan and the ministry of Education did nothing when allegations of abuse were reported in 2019. .“Students have come forward with serious allegations of abuse as recently as 2019, yet the minister claims to be unaware,” said Love..“Either Duncan’s feigning ignorance, or the system of unscheduled school inspections, which he’s really hanging his hat on … clearly hasn’t and won’t work.”.“Minister Duncan knew about these allegations of abuse since June, if not earlier. Why didn’t he lift a finger until the public took him to task? An investigation is needed into both Legacy Christian Academy and the Sask Party government’s shameful mishandling of these abuse allegations.”.READ MORE NDP call on Sask gov to respond to dozens of former Christian school students abuse allegations.Since 2012, the province funded QIS who meet the standards and criteria outlined in the provincial regulations.
