NLIS 6
August 25, 2006
(Education)

Minister responds to Opposition statements regarding school fees and supplies

Joan Burke, Minister of Education, said today that the Opposition Critic for Finance has little knowledge of current government policies and it is incumbent upon all Opposition members to practice due diligence before issuing statements that can mislead the public.  Ms. Thistle issued a news release urging government to increase social assistance to help families with the high cost of school supplies.

�It was only four months ago, during the highly publicized budget, that government announced a $5.6 million investment this year and $7.4 million annually to increase income support rates by five per cent,� said Minister Burke.  �Three million dollars will also be provided annually to further increase rates by indexing them, which will help offset cost of living increases.�

�In addition, it seems Ms. Thistle has not quite grasped the intent of government�s investment of $6.3 million to eliminate school fees, which will assist all parents in the province, including those who receive income support,� said Minister Burke.  The $6.3 million will increase instructional grants to schools boards and cover prescribed workbooks and other consumable materials traditionally charged to parents.  This includes such items as student agendas, locks (including locker rentals), photocopying, student IDs, scrapbooks, supplies associated with classroom-based work in language arts, science, technology and industrial arts.  A full list can be found on the Department of Education web site at www.gov.nl.ca/edu.  �The intent of this initiative is to help every family in our province and it will of course, especially provide relief for income support clients and low-income families.�

The National Council of Welfare has spoken highly of the Government of Newfoundland and Labradors� Poverty Reduction Strategy.  A spokesperson for the council recently noted several positive aspects of the strategy including the fact that it is based on targets that can be monitored and kept up to date, that there is a firm financial commitment and that the strategy is an integrated approach that crosses several government departments.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Poverty Reduction Action Plan //www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/poverty/default.htm is being well received by provincial community based agencies and organizations.  It was developed in consultation with their knowledge, input and professional advice.  As well, it requires their continued involvement over time to insure that the action plan remains relevant with clear goals and objectives to help people affected by poverty.

Clearly, Newfoundland and Labrador is showing leadership at home and increasingly is being recognized as taking progressive steps to reduce poverty, with only one other province in Canada taking such action.

Minister Burke pointed out that Ms. Thistle�s suggestion that government follow the lead of the Government of Nova Scotia, which recently announced approximately $700,000 to help people receiving income support with the cost of school supplies, further indicates her lack of understanding and knowledge of current policies.  �Ms. Thistle should be as well informed of the initiatives in her own province,� said Minister Burke.  �This government prefers to lead rather than follow, and are already leaps and bounds ahead of any steps taken by the previous administration to address poverty.�

Media contact:  Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

2006 08 25                                                        4:50 p.m.