(Facebook/RJC High School)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Changes Incoming

Rosthern school hoping more provincial oversight will bring back trust for independent schools

Mar 10, 2023 | 1:00 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan is strengthening its oversight of registered independent schools.

Starting this fall, there will be new requirements around financial reporting, attendance, extracurriculars, and the handling of complaints from parents. These changes, according to the province, will make these requirements similar to the ones Saskatchewan school divisions have to follow.

Ryan Wood, the principal of RJC High School in Rosthern, told paNOW he has no issue with this decision.

“It’s fair, it’s reasonable, and it helps everybody stay accountable and stay in their lane.”

He said they have a close relationship with the province’s ministry of education. Despite being an independent school, RJC teaches the provincial curriculum, has certified trained teachers, and is a member of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.

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The Government of Saskatchewan claims they’re making these changes to ensure students at independent schools feel safe, protected, and respected. This comes after several students brought forward abuse allegations against Saskatoon’s Legacy Christian Academy.

Despite being two separate schools in completely different communities, some have developed negative feelings about RJC because of the allegations.

“There’s some confusion that we’re somehow connected with them,” said Wood. “It’s a school we don’t have a direct relationship with.”

There are five types of independent schools in Saskatchewan: registered independent schools, alternative independent Schools, associate schools, historical high schools, and qualified independent schools.

RJC is a historical high school as it was founded in 1905, while Legacy Christian Academy is a qualified independent school whose curriculum presents life from a Biblical perspective.

While Wood 100 per cent agrees that any abuse at all should not be tolerated, he does believe independent schools have a bad reputation despite providing many positives. This includes options for students to learn the province’s curriculum in the way that best supports them.

Wood also explained independent schools get very little funding from the province.

As for RJC, they receive no capital funding and have to charge tuition and fundraise. Because of this, taxpayers are paying a lot less for their students than those in the public system. The school also provides an economic boost, especially when they have out-of-town students paying to attend their school.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow