January 5, 1999
(Education)

Students to enter new school in Rigolet

Students in the Labrador community of Rigolet will start classes this week in a brand new school. Construction on the new facility was completed last month and equipment was moved during the Christmas break facilitating the opening on Wednesday, January 6.

The students will move into a state-of-the-art facility which replaces an old building that had outlived its usefulness, said the Judy Foote, Minister of Education. The new school will have a library resource centre, a specialist area for students with learning disabilities, a gymnasium and special facilities to teach native culture.

"This new school is designed to enable teachers and students to access new technology and utilize modern teaching and learning techniques that was not possible in the older facility," said Minister Foote.

The new school in Rigolet contains a heating and ventilation system that will ensure good air quality. The school will be fitted with a satellite dish to permit students to access the Internet, as well a local area network has been installed to permit transfer of data and information from one computer to another within the building.

This is the first of several new schools to be built throughout the province, said Minister Foote. "Education reform is paying big dividends for the children of Newfoundland and Labrador," said the minister, who just recently announced a $75 million capital construction project for schools, bringing the total commitment to $125 million to refurbish and re-develop existing schools and to build new facilities.

"Government is committed to schools that are maintained at the highest standard possible, staffed with qualified teachers and equipped with the most modern technology and teaching aids, so that our children can access courses and programs that will ensure our students get the best possible education," said Minister Foote.

I extend best wishes to the students and teachers in Rigolet as they begin the new term in a modern facility.

Media contact: Nancy Healey, (709) 729-0048

1999 01 05                                 12:25 p.m.