Premier Blaine Higgs has clarified recent comments he made about how he'd be hesitant to send his children to New Brunswick public schools if they were pre-teens today.

In a statement, Higgs said his comments were not aimed at teachers and that he wants to work with educators to improve the system.

"The vast majority of teachers across the province work hard, and go above and beyond to help give students the best possible experience in school," he said.

During a June 7 interview with Radio-Canada, Higgs was asked how he'd feel about sending his four daughters to public schools today.

"I'd be concerned, yeah," he said, mentioning that two of his four adult daughters live in the province and have children of their own.

"We seem to be deviating from curriculum. We seem to not have the standards. I know teachers are struggling with discipline in classes."

Asked why he hadn't already addressed the issues during his six years in power, Higgs said, "It hasn't gotten better and no one's been addressing the issues until now." 

The comments attracted little attention until Brunswick News cited them this week, quoting opposition party leaders, district education councils and the New Brunswick Teachers' Association criticizing the comments.

Asked for a comment on Higgs's clarification, NBTA president Peter Lagacy didn't acknowledge the new statement.

"It is unfortunate that the focus has been on matters other than retaining experienced teachers and creating a positive atmosphere to attract new ones," he said in a written statement of his own.

"It begs the question why New Brunswickers are being taken down a path of distractions and mistrust." 

New Brunswick Teachers' Association president Peter Lagacy said Higgs's original statement was unfortunate. (Zoom)

Higgs did not apologize for his June 7 comments or retract them but said he was "voicing my frustration with certain elements" of the school system.

"Honestly, I do have some frustration with the system. As I said in the original interview, I do have concerns, just like many parents and teachers across the province, and I think speaking out about them is important."

He pointed out he made the comments in the days after a controversy about a sexual education workshop that some parents complained about. 

"Concerns can be addressed with parents, educators and government working together," he said, pointing to a recently announced ban on cellphones in classrooms.

He also thanked teachers. "Please know the investment you are making in the future leaders of our province is greatly appreciated," he said.

In the June 7 interview, Higgs cited not just what he called deviations from provincial curriculum but also disruptive behaviour and other concerns that sometimes require a police presence in schools. 

"This didn't happen overnight, either, and it didn't just start six years ago," he said. "This has been a kind of evolution.

"We've removed the authority of teachers, gradually. The whole respect for authority has changed and I think teachers are the brunt of that."