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School facilities should be part of the
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Opposition Education Critic and MHA for the District of Port De Grave, Roland Butler, is calling on the Minister of Education to make the necessary investments to open school facilities to community groups around this province at a reasonable cost. "Schools should be community facilities available to various groups who want to use them. Last year we raised the issue of the high fees being charged to community groups, such as minor soccer and others using school facilities in this province.@ says Butler. A I am again calling on government, and the Minister of Education in particular, to ensure that funding is allocated in this year=s budget so schools can truly become community facilities." The Liberal MHA says he appreciates the financial pressures being placed on school boards in this province, but he hopes with its improved financial position government will make major investments in education. "One of the factors preventing access to schools by groups in the community is the high cost of liability insurance which has to be paid by the school board. In my own district at Upper Island Cove, the Boys and Girls Club typically only get a grant of $3,500 and half of that goes towards the cost of accessing the school. "I am hopeful that this government will start to listen to the concerns we have been raising and start to be more responsive to addressing them. This would be an excellent investment of funds in the long run, as it promotes fitness and community involvement. This government has been very short-sighted in the past, but with enough pressure, I am optimistic that they will see the errors of their ways and make this community smart investment.@ -30- |
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