NLIS 20
March 21, 2005
(Education)
Sound principles guide
post-secondary and continuing education investments
Education Minister Tom Hedderson said
today that Budget 2005 reflects government�s plan to ensure the
evolution and growth of a post-secondary and continuing education
system based on the principles of quality, affordability and
accessibility.
Continuation of Tuition Freeze
Following through its Blueprint commitment, government has committed
to a tuition freeze for Memorial University (MUN) and College of the
North Atlantic (CNA) for the next three years (barring any
unforeseen financial crises). "There are many contributing factors
to student debt. Post-secondary student organizations have clearly
communicated that their priority in addressing this issue is the
maintenance of the tuition freeze," said Minister Hedderson. "We
must ensure that our post-secondary system is affordable and
accessible. This freeze will mean that tuition in this province
remains the lowest rate in the country, and 40 per cent lower than
the national average." The tuition freeze does not apply to
international students.
White Paper
In the 2004 Speech from the Throne, government announced a
commitment to a white paper on public post-secondary education.
Government has allocated $14.7 million for the implementation of
white paper initiatives. "We are diligently moving forward with the
white paper process," said Minister Hedderson. "Extensive
consultations and research have been conducted to ensure all options
and opportunities are considered. Allocations have been made based
on current anticipated outcomes of the white paper." Government will
release the white paper to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador
this spring.
Sustaining our Institutions
Minister Hedderson acknowledged the two primary avenues for revenue
for post-secondary institutions are government grants and tuition.
"Government is committed to stable funding for our institutions to
ensure high quality programming and appropriate infrastructure. We
will work in partnership with Memorial University and College of the
North Atlantic through white paper initiatives to ensure the highest
quality opportunities are available to all Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians." This year government will provide $174.4 million to
Memorial University and $65.5 million to College of the North
Atlantic. This represents an increase of approximately $20 million
over last year�s budget. This funding will enable the institutions
to maintain the tuition freeze.
Research and Development
Government will invest $5 million for research and development
initiatives at Memorial University and College of the North
Atlantic. This funding will be used to allow our institutions to
access federal and private sector research and development funding.
"In order to grow our economy, the province needs to invest in
research and development, as it leads directly to economic
opportunities. This contribution levers an additional $4-5 for every
$1 invested by the province," said Minister Hedderson.
Career Awards
Government has allocated $226,000 to support work-term placements
for post-secondary students in offshore research and development.
"The Career Awards Program has made a significant impact in building
strategic knowledge and skills throughout the post-secondary
education sector," said Minister Hedderson. "Students have gained
petroleum-related work experience from all over the world and the
groundwork has been laid for long-term impact on the economy of the
future." Partnerships between education, industry, business, and
provincial and federal governments have been recognized as essential
to the development of a highly qualified workforce within research
and development and the petroleum industry.
Adult Literacy
Government will provide $230,000 to continue funding previously
provided by the federal government for its share of Adult Basic
Education Level I pilot program. This funding is in addition to the
$300,000 currently allocated to support adult literacy programs.
"Funding of Adult Basic Education and literacy initiatives
contributes to the social and economic development of our province,"
said the minister. "The inter-generational benefits of literacy are
well established. Higher literacy levels of parents have a positive
impact on the achievement of their children. A recent analysis from
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows that
a one per cent increase in adult literacy produces a permanent 1.5
per cent increase in gross domestic product."
Media contact: Nora Daly, Communications, (709) 729-1906, 728-2819
2005 03 21
3:10 p.m. |