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Gerry Reid, MHA for the District of Twillingate-Fogo and Opposition
Education Critic, says today’s budget once again neglected the much needed
investments required for the education system in this province. "I was
very surprised with the lack of major announcements for education in this
budget," said Mr. Reid. "Government has still eliminated at least 145
teaching positions from classrooms, did not provide funding for the needed
renovations to Leary’s Brook Junior High, refused the necessary funding for
the Mealy Mountain Auditorium in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, slashed the funding
for the Kids Eat Smart Program by 50 per cent, and the $21.7 million in
funding for maintenance and new construction will do little to improve
conditions in many schools across the province.
"This government is trying to mislead the people into thinking that 75
teaching positions are being put back into the classrooms, when they are
actually eliminating at least 145 teachers from the system. Last year
government removed 256 positions, bringing the total to 401 teachers who
have now lost their jobs over this two year period. I am very disappointed
that Minister Sullivan and Minister Hedderson are trying to sell this as a
good news announcement, when nothing could be further from the truth.
"I am very concerned for the students of Leary’s Brook Junior High who
were expecting an expansion to their school. This expansion was approved
three years ago because it was the number one priority for the school board.
Once again, the MHA for St. John’s North, Bob Ridgely, did not effectively
lobby his government colleagues to support this initiative. As a result,
these students will have to continue suffering through overcrowded
classrooms and a reduced learning environment.
"I must also express my disappointment to the students in Labrador who
were hoping for funding to construct the Mealy Mountain Auditorium. This
facility is much-needed in Labrador and would have played a very large role
in providing new educational opportunities to the students of this region of
our province. I find it disturbing that the only schools that will be
renovated or refurbished this year are in the districts of the Finance
Minister and the Premier.
"The funding for the Kids Eat Smart Foundation has also been slashed by
50 per cent. This is an important program that helped ensure that children
received proper nutritious meals at their schools. Also, the $21.7 million
in new funding for maintenance and new construction will do little to
address the needs of schools in this province. When we were in government we
spent in excess of $40 million in each of the last five years on school
construction and maintenance and were criticized by the Tories for not
spending enough on our schools. Unfortunately, this budget certainly did not
place a priority on education."
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