Gerry Reid, Opposition Education Critic and MHA for the District of Twillingate-Fogo, says that the cuts to education in today’s budget will dramatically hurt the education system in the province.

 “Today is a very bleak day for the education system in our province and the students of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Mr. Reid. “The education cuts introduced today by this government will result in a diminished school system for our students.

 “I ask this government how they feel the elimination of 476 teacher positions will improve the school system in our province?   Is this what the minister spoke about when he said he would ‘revitalize education’?  This minister promotes an increase in distance education courses for rural areas, yet cuts the number of teachers who could be providing these classes in person. Does he feel that a television set can replace a human being?

 “We are also witnessing a reduction of school boards from 11 to 5. Will this reduction in school boards improve service? How many job cuts will come from our school board system? This is totally unacceptable and will only result in reduced service.

 “There are also $20 million in cuts to capital expenditure programs. This will affect funding for schools all over the province. School infrastructure is vital to the learning process and now work on schools such as Herdman Collegiate in Corner Brook, Mealy Mountain High School in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Leary’s Brook Junior High in St. John’s, Mobile Central High School and the new school in Lanse au Loup have been either been deferred or cancelled.

 “For a government that said they were committed to the education system just six short months ago, today’s budget can only be classified as an attack on the basic structure of our education system.”