Prince Edward Island schools fail to track staff sexual misconduct, report finds

A newly released report has exposed serious gaps in how Prince Edward Island schools track and handle sexual misconduct complaints against staff. Former Chief Justice David Jenkins published his findings on 11 February 2026, calling for urgent changes to protect students more effectively. The review highlights flaws in the current system, which fails to monitor past conduct of educators across different educational institutions.

The Jenkins Report reveals that school administrators cannot currently track whether a teacher has faced misconduct allegations or been barred from working elsewhere. This lack of oversight means potential risks go unnoticed when staff move between schools.

Among the key recommendations is a centralised digital system to log and monitor complaints, managed by a small team of around three people. The report also proposes stricter screening, including enhanced criminal record checks, and a unified digital platform for assigning substitute teachers. Additional measures include improved staff training, a dedicated sexual misconduct policy, and a clearer code of conduct for all employees.

While existing student safety policies are described as generally sound, the report notes they focus too heavily on sexual misconduct alone. It urges schools to address earlier warning signs that could escalate into more serious issues if left unchecked.

No changes have yet been introduced by the provincial government, as the report was only published days ago.

The report's proposals aim to close critical gaps in tracking and preventing misconduct across educational institutions. If adopted, the new system would provide administrators with better tools to identify risks and respond to concerns. The government has not yet announced any timeline for implementing the recommendations.