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September 8, 1998
(Education)


Education reform beginning to pay big dividends for children of Newfoundland and Labrador

Education Minister Roger Grimes says as students return to their classrooms this week they will experience first hand many of the positive effects of education reform.

"As part of the reform process, government is delivering on its commitment to improve the education facilities across the province," said Mr. Grimes. "This summer we carried out repairs and maintenance and air quality projects on over 200 of our schools. We wanted to ensure that the students of Newfoundland and Labrador are returning to a safe, clean and comfortable learning environment."

Government has conducted the most ambitious repair and maintenance program ever carried out during the summer. More than 150 schools were undergoing repairs and maintenance projects such as the painting of classrooms, exterior painting, repairs to floors, siding, entrances, walkways, heating systems, washrooms, construction and repairs of playgrounds and other general refurbishing of the school buildings. Most of the repairs and maintenance projects have now been completed. There are, however, some projects that are more extensive and they are expected to be completed by late September.

Government has also invested close to $6 million in air quality related projects for close to 200 schools during the summer. Remediation actions that were carried out included roof repair or replacement, repairing water damaged ceiling tiles and wall materials, replacing carpets with tile flooring, installing operable windows that open at the top, improving or adding ventilation systems to increase air circulation and improve humidity and temperature levels.

In the 1998 budget government announced the largest single investment in educational infrastructures in the province with the establishment of the Newfoundland and Labrador Education Investment Corporation. The corporation, with a fund of $50 million from government over two years, was set up to facilitate the construction, renovation, extension and equipping of educational facilities throughout the province. In addition, government also allocated an additional $3 million to supplement funds school boards would spend on school buildings during the summer.

Through school councils now operating in the majority of the province's schools, parents have significant input into the education of their children. As well, for the first time in our history, 11 publicly elected school boards, including the first ever Francophone board, are running the system.

"Parents of Newfoundland and Labrador have asked for a greater say in education and the government has delivered," said Mr. Grimes.

"While we continue to make major strides forward with reform, we do acknowledge there are some problems to be resolved. We will continue to work with all stakeholders in education to settle outstanding issues and improve opportunities for the students of Newfoundland and Labrador," concluded the minister.

Media contact: Carl Cooper, (709) 729-0048.

1998 09 08                     1:45 p.m.


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