May 14, 1999
(Education)

The following statement was issued today by Judy Foote, Minister of Education. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to report that the school construction and renovation plans to which the Department of
Education made a three year commitment of $50 million in 1998/99 and another $75 million in 1999/2000,
announced in December, are progressing.

New schools have been constructed and renovations have recently been completed throughout the
province. For example, students moved into new, state-of-the-art schools in Hopedale and Rigolet recently
and the premier will attend their official opening next week. In these two communities, for the first time
students will access have to physical education programs and extra curricular sports in their own gymnasium.
These new facilities are already being used extensively by community groups. Also, students are enjoying the recent
completion of renovations and extensions in Davis Inlet, and Grandy's River. Students will move into their new
school in St. Mary's in September. Plans are actively under way for new construction or renovations of schools
this summer in Nain, Buchans, Piccadilly, Gaultois, St. George's, Blaketown, Clarenville, Plum Point, Upper Ferry,
Gambo and Wesleyville. Design work and site planning continues for the construction of new schools in Happy
Valley-Goose Bay, Roddickton/Englee, Burgeo, New World Island, Lethbridge/Musgravetown, Arnold's Cove,
Old Perlican and Pouch Cove/Flatrock.

Of the $50 million committed last year, over $29 million has already been spent and the remainder of the work will
be completed, and money expended, this year. 

Of the $75 million, $21 million will be spent this year and the remainder will be expended as the construction is completed
over the next two years. Plans call for all of these new schools to be completed by September 2001. If we are fortunate to
have milder winters, this will allow for faster construction time and we may see the projects completed even sooner.

The benefits to our province's education system are clear B better schools enable teachers and students to access new technology
and learning techniques that may not have been possible in an older facility.

However, another beneficiary of the school construction and renovation plan is the construction industry B this directly
translates into jobs in the communities where construction and renovations are taking place, and is of direct benefit to the
local economy.

The progress to date indicates clearly government's commitment to the delivery of a quality education to the children of
this province. We are 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 that our graduates are able to compete with students throughout the world for places in post secondary institutions
and the work place of the future.

1999 05 14                    10:05 a.m.