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Percy Barrett, MHA for the District of Bellevue, is calling on Education
Minister Joan Burke to intervene and keep schools on the Burin Peninsula
open until funding is allocated by government and replacement schools are
built. Last night, the Eastern School District moved forward with their
plans to close and restructure schools in the region. Included in this
restructuring was the closure of schools in Grand Lapierre and English
Harbour East, with students to be bussed to Terrenceville starting in
September. The school board is also recommending a new school be built in
Terrenceville to accommodate these new students, however, government has not
yet allocated any funding for this project.
"I am disappointed that the Eastern School District closed these
schools," said Mr. Barrett. "While parents and students are upset that their
community school is closing, they are even more upset that no funding has
yet been approved to construct a new facility in Terrenceville. The school
board has made these decisions on the basis that new funding will be granted
by government. Unfortunately, this funding has not been approved and
students will be forced to attend a school that will now be overcrowded and
does not have the resources to accommodate the needs of a significantly
larger student body.
"I feel government and the Eastern School District should have put these
closures on hold until a new school was built to accommodate the influx of
new students. In the House of Assembly this afternoon, Education Minister
Joan Burke gave no indication that she will intervene and postpone these
closures until the new school is built.
"The Eastern School District believes this reconfiguration will improve
the education needs of our children. I have to question how a long bus ride,
combined with a crowded school requiring improved resources, will help
strengthen our children’s education. Until the funding and construction
details are worked out with the provincial government, these schools should
remain open in these communities."
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