A big change is coming to how Saskatchewan students will wrap up their final year of high school, one that will more closely align with those in other provinces.
The Government of Saskatchewan is winding down the Grade 12 provincial examination program at the end of August this year while work continues to develop a provincewide student assessment program.
The move is touted to create a 'More equitable system for Grade 12 students in Saskatchewan,' as the province is the only one in the nation where some students are required to write provincial examinations for certain subjects while others are not. The Sask. Government noted that in the 2023-24 school year, only 25 per cent of students needed to complete a provincial exam.
"The discontinuation of Provincial Exams, starting in September 2025, aligns with feedback that I have received directly from school board trustees, teachers and families all across this province," Education Minister Everett Hindley said in an official statement.
"We are pleased that work continues on developing a Saskatchewan Student Assessment program that will help our schools and government in improving student success."
Grade 12 credits are able to be earned by adults and those learning from home who enroll in Grade 12 courses through the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre or applicable post-secondary institutions.
"School boards welcome this announcement and appreciate that the government has listened to feedback on this matter," Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) President Dr. Shawn Davidson said.
"Our membership passed resolutions in 2011 and again in 2021 that called for the elimination of provincial examinations for Grade 12 students. This is an important shift toward more meaningful assessment practices that take the needs of individual students into account while maintaining curricular integrity."
A collaboration between the Ministry of Education with education partners on the Saskatchewan Student Assessment program - announced in November 2024 - is ongoing, and when implemented, the SSA will provide more information to parents, students and teachers about education milestones including Grade 5 and 9 mathematics, and English language arts for Grades 4,7, and 10.
The program's intention is to provide a fair and objective measure of student performance while guiding and assisting schools, school systems and the government in improving student achievement.