5.2 Nova Scotia Department of Education

In the fall of 2002, the Department of Education announced the creation of the Skills and Learning Branch. The branch is comprised of the Adult Education Division , Apprenticeship Training Division, and Skill Development Division, Labour Market Partnerships Division, Labour Market Development Secretariat and Youth Services Division. The role of the branch is to provide co-ordination and supports to the Skills Nova Scotia operational structure. The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning is an administrative body of the Department of Education which awards the NS High School Diploma for Adults and also administers GED testing across the province.

5.3 Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL)

In November 2000, the Nova Scotia Department of Education announced the creation of the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) which is an administrative body within the Department of Education. The NSSAL is part of a major new adult learning initiative aimed at creating a more co-ordinated, articulated system for adults seeking to upgrade their skills and/or complete their high school or secondary education.

Working in partnership with program deliverers and funding agencies such as school boards, colleges, community-based organizations, Community Services and Human Resources Development Canada, the School strives to meet the following goals:

  1. Develop a coordinated system and continuum of educational programs to meet the learning needs of adults beginning with basic literacy to high school graduation.

  2. Provide adult learners the opportunity to acquire a new credential, the Nova Scotia High School Diploma for Adults, which recognizes learning from both public school and adult learning programs, as well as that obtained through prior learning and recognition assessment.