Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Alberta To Ban Seclusion Or Time-Out Rooms For Students In Schools

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Feb, 2019 10:11 PM

    EDMONTON — Alberta Education Minister David Eggen says the province will ban the use of seclusion or time-out rooms for students in schools.

     

    Problems with seclusion rooms surfaced last September when the parents of an autistic boy filed a lawsuit against the province.


    The lawsuit claims the boy was locked in a seclusion room, naked and alone, at his Sherwood Park school in 2015.


    Since then, parents and advocates of children with disabilities have been calling for a ban.


    Eggen says seclusion rooms must be decommissioned by the 2019-2020 school year.


    The minister shared the news with a group of educators and parents that have been working to find a solution to seclusion rooms.


    "I am deeply concerned by some of the things that parents and students are sharing about their family's experiences with seclusion rooms," Eggen said in an email Friday.


    "We can and must do better for our kids. That is why I am making the move to ban the use of seclusion rooms in Alberta through a Ministerial Order."


    Eggen said the province will monitor how school boards comply with the decision.


    Premier Rachel Notley said the government's decision comes after a lot of consultation with experts.


    "It's not my view that that is an appropriate way to deal with any special needs child," she said. "So I'm glad that Minister Eggen has moved forward on that."


    Notley said the government must now work with school boards to ensure that they have what they need to ensure the safety of other students and staff.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C.'s South Coast Prepares For Short, Snowy Blast, Raising Avalanche Risks

     Residents of Vancouver and parts of Vancouver Island are bracing for another wintry blast with Environment Canada calling for snow accumulations of between five and 15 centimetres.

    B.C.'s South Coast Prepares For Short, Snowy Blast, Raising Avalanche Risks

    Shambhala Buddhist Leader Drops Teaching In Wake Of Report On Sexual Misconduct

    Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche said in an email to his students today that he is sorry for "all that has happened," and that he understands he is the main source of suffering and confusion in the community.

    Shambhala Buddhist Leader Drops Teaching In Wake Of Report On Sexual Misconduct

    Avalanche Warning Issued For B.C.’s South Coast, Island As Weak Snowpack Persists

    Avalanche Warning Issued For B.C.’s South Coast, Island As Weak Snowpack Persists
    Avalanche Canada says there is a weak layer in the snowpack that is about 50 centimetres deep, prompting a warning until Sunday.

    Avalanche Warning Issued For B.C.’s South Coast, Island As Weak Snowpack Persists

    Sell Regulated Heroin To Drug Users To Reduce Overdose Deaths: B.C. Group

    Sell Regulated Heroin To Drug Users To Reduce Overdose Deaths: B.C. Group
    The BC Centre on Substance Use is proposing a policy to sell legally regulated heroin as part of an urgent response to reduce opioid overdose deaths from a toxic drug supply that is profiting organized crime groups.

    Sell Regulated Heroin To Drug Users To Reduce Overdose Deaths: B.C. Group

    Few Incentives In Spending-Heavy B.C. Budget, Global Downturn Worries Business

    VICTORIA — British Columbia's budget pays too little attention to the potential impacts of a slowing global economy and a shifting housing market, business leaders say.

    Few Incentives In Spending-Heavy B.C. Budget, Global Downturn Worries Business

    Proposed Edible Pot Rules Are Wasteful, Would Leave Products Tasteless: Critics

    Proposed Edible Pot Rules Are Wasteful, Would Leave Products Tasteless: Critics
    Canada's proposed edible pot regulations would result in tasteless products wrapped in wasteful packaging, shutting out medical patients and fuelling a continued black market, critics say

    Proposed Edible Pot Rules Are Wasteful, Would Leave Products Tasteless: Critics