A new academic program starting next school year at Acadia University in the small town of Wolfville in Nova Scotia aims to increase the number of Black teachers in the schools of this Atlantic Canadian province.

Acadia University has partnered with the Delmore 'Buddy' Daye Learning Institute to offer an African-focused Bachelor of Education program.

Acadia University says the goal is to address the shortage of Black teachers in the public school system in Nova Scotia.

The program is intended for Black residents of Nova Scotia who work as student support workers in the province's schools by "providing them with financial support to transition into a teaching career in the public school system," according to a statement issued by the university earlier this February. Canada celebrates Black History Month every year in the mentioned month.

Acadia University is scheduled to enroll the first students, a cohort of 25 students, next September.

Admission to this program, which is designated for Black students, follows the same admission criteria as the Bachelor of Education program at Acadia University.

The program will benefit from financial support from the government of Nova Scotia.