Significant investment in post-secondary education

"Government is renewing its commitment to provide affordable quality education to the province�s post-secondary students," said Education Minister Judy Foote today. "Despite the fact that federal transfers were not what we were hoping for, we have found a way to invest additional money into post-secondary education."

• The two-year tuition freeze benefitting students of Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic will continue for an additional year. Last year government increased grants to Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic, allowing the two institutions to freeze tuition cost for two academic years - 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Now, the freeze will also apply for the academic year 2001/2002, bringing government�s total investment for tuition freezes to approximately $36 million over a three-year period. Thanks to the cooperation of the university and the college, it is possible for the tuition freeze to continue for a third year without increasing the annual grant. The university and the college will continue to deliver quality educational programs while maintaining tuition costs at their current level. Tuition fees for university are currently the lowest in Atlantic Canada and college fees are the second lowest.

• Government has extended its commitment to Memorial University�s Opportunity Fund. In 1995, government agreed to match private sector contributions up to $25 million. When the $25 million mark was reached, government agreed to continue to match funds until the end of 1999. The total amount of private donations to the end of last year was $29 million, and government will now increase its contribution to $29 million.

  $2.1 million has been allocated for refurbishment of the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College campus of Memorial University in Corner Brook

• On March 15, government announced the allocation of $6 million to the College of the North Atlantic over the next two years to renovate the Prince Philip Drive campus to better accommodate college students who will be moving from the Topsail Road campus and $500,000 for equipment for its medical services programs.

"As outlined in our Jobs and Growth agenda, this government�s continued commitment to education is vital in building a skilled workforce," added Minister Foote.

Media contact: Andrea Maunder, Communications, (709) 729-0048.

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