Roland Butler, MHA for the District of Port de Grave and Opposition Critic for Education, says the Williams government has been negligent in their responsibilities to ensure that the health and safety of children across this province is a priority.

“We have not one area, nor two, but at least three areas where government has been less than diligent in safeguarding the health and safety of our students and they are in the areas of school bus safety, comprehensive air quality testing and the gross insufficiency of school guidance counselors in our school system,” says Butler.

The Opposition took advantage of the House of Assembly’s two-day opening this week to raise school related issues that are causing concern for parents and students.

“The issue of school bus safety is one we have raised time and time again in the Legislature; and time and time again we get empty promises.”  Butler points to a recent CBC investigative report which exposed imported school buses were not up to Canadian standards. “More scandalous is the Minister of Government Services’ admission that he was not aware of these requirements.  Further, it is interesting to note that while ATV Safety is listed as a priority topic on the government’s website, school bus safety failed to make that list.

“Toxic air quality and mould in our schools has been an ongoing issue and has shut down a number of schools in this province.  The latest closures, St. Matthew’s Elementary and Peacock Elementary, as the school year begins are prime examples of why there is a need for comprehensive air quality and mould testing.  Butler points out that a public posting of these results on the internet would reassure parents, teachers and students, yet government remains unaccommodating and unaccountable.”

Furthermore, MHA Butler points to the need for an additional 71 school counselors, as identified by a 2007 report, as yet another way students are shortchanged and getting less than adequate services.

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