Education Week Celebrates History

In his 33 years as a teacher, Greg King has instilled hundreds of students with his love of history -- and used some unusual methods along the way. Last month, for example, he and his students at Prince Andrew High School organized a national conference on the Halifax Explosion.

Mr. King is one of 27 award recipients being honoured today, April 18, as part of Provincial Education Week 2005 celebrations. The theme of Education Week, which runs from April 17-23, is History: Look in your own backyard/L'Histoire: Partout autour de nous.

"History is more than what we learn in textbooks -- it's all around us in family stories, homes, communities and our province," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "There are many teachers like Greg King all across our province, who are helping students appreciate history and encouraging them to actively investigate the history that surrounds them."

Mr. King says that it is his job to get students excited about, and interested in, history using events like the Halifax Explosion conference, which was called "Halifax Wrecked." That conference, which attracted 500 participants, featured professionally performed ballads of the era, a re-enactment and a luncheon to honour survivors and their families.

"The next generation is key to preserving history," said Mr. King. "We need to toss the torch of learning, responsibility and insight to our students."

The province recognizes history as an important component of a balanced school program of studies. The Atlantic Canada social studies curriculum supports teachers in encouraging students to explore history in a variety of ways.

In 2005-06, the Department of Education will implement new history curricula in grades primary to two and in Grade 7. The province will be providing a wealth of new learning resources for the younger classes. Students in Grade 7 will receive new textbooks and other resources. Teachers will receive new resources as well, and will participate in at least one day of in-service education about the new curriculum and resources.

Education Week is supported by five key education partners: the Department of Education, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, the Nova Scotia Federation of Home and School Associations, and la Fédération des parents acadiens de la Nouvelle-Écosse. Schools and school boards across the province also host events during the week.

Education Week has been celebrated in Nova Scotia since the 1930s. For the third year in a row, the Teachers Plus Credit Union is supporting Education Week with a corporate sponsorship.