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Roger Grimes, Minister of Education, reacted today to statements by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association that a teacher in Springdale had been denied a teaching position because she is not a practicing Pentecostal.

The minister noted: "The new Term 17 gives the denominations the power to decide which persons are assigned to teach in uni- denominational schools that have been established for a particular denomination. In this case, it appears that the Pentecostal denomination has decided to exercise its power with respect to the uni- denominational school at Springdale."

The minister said that this morning he met with Art Baggs, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association to discuss the reassignment of teachers in light of this decision of the Pentecostal denominational committee of the Baie Verte/Central/Connaigre School Board.

Mr Grimes said: "While I fully recognize the right of the denominational committee to direct the assignment of teachers in uni- denominational schools, I feel that decisions such as this are regrettable. It is my understanding that teachers who had previously been assigned to Charisma Pentecostal Collegiate have been reassigned to Grant Collegiate which will be designated interdenominational in September. The decision of the denominational committee, therefore, gives the appearance of establishing an unfair process. On the one hand, Pentecostal teachers are accepted in interdenominational schools, on the other, non-Pentecostals are unacceptable to teach in Pentecostal schools.

"One of the positive results of education reform could be improved educational opportunities for all children. This can happen only if the education of children is a priority for all of those involved in administering the school system.

"As a result of this meeting, I have written Dr. Melvin Regular, Pentecostal Executive Director of the Denominational Education Commission and asked him to encourage the Pentecostal denominational committees of school boards to be reasonable and flexible in choosing to exercise their powers with respect to the reassignment of teachers. This would certainly alleviate the potential for divisive situations and the appearance that one group of teachers have greater job security than another."

Mr. Grimes stated: "It is hoped that denominational committees of school boards will be reasonable and flexible in choosing to exercise their powers with respect to the reassignment of teachers, particularly since this is a transitional year."

Contact: Carl Cooper, Director of Communications, (709) 729-5040.