The Progressive Conservative government has backed down on one of its main reform measures announced last year -- the elimination of elected school boards.

Instead, the government will move forward with some of the other proposed changes.

Those include an expansion of remote learning to include an online high school.

There is also a plan for a regulatory body that could certify teachers.

The province also says it aims to develop new ways to assess students in early school years, and to change report cards to be more inclusive of students with special needs.

The Manitoba School Boards Association says details have to be worked out, but the province is now acting collaboratively.

The Manitoba Teachers Society says it likes some of the planned changes but would also like to see a universal school-meal program.