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Education Minister Kelly Lamrock says 111 elementary school teaching positions in the Anglophone sector will be assigned to instruction in physical education and music to ensure these subjects are delivered by teachers with a specialty or strong background in these areas.

Lamrock made the announcement while visiting a physical education class at Hubbard Avenue Elementary School in Oromocto.

"Improving students' learning opportunities through an increased emphasis on physical education and music is an essential component of When kids come first," said Lamrock. "Students will benefit from access to greater expertise in physical education and music as the teachers assigned to these classes will have specific training in these subject areas."

School districts will decide how the 111 physical education and music specialists will be distributed to their schools.

Lamrock has also announced that beginning with the next school year, students in kindergarten through grade five will receive more instructional time in physical education. The current amount of time allocated for physical education is 100 minutes per week, with schools averaging 91 minutes. The amount of instructional time allocated for physical education has been increased to 150 minutes per week. Although it is likely going to take most schools a few years to phase in this amount of time, it is expected that next year, on average, at least 120 minutes per week of physical education will be delivered.

"By increasing the amount of time our students are provided with physical education, we are clearly demonstrating our commitment to provide 150 minutes per week of physical education, as outlined in the Charter for Change," Lamrock said. "We are confident that within the next three school years, students will be receiving the full amount of 150 minutes per week of quality physical education."

The instructional time guidelines for music and visual art recommend a minimum of 60 minutes for each of these subjects per week for elementary students. At the end of April, Lamrock announced additional time for enrichment at the elementary level. Some of this time will allow for increased opportunities for visual art beyond the regular instruction in this subject area.