Education
January 21, 2009

Minister Outlines Actions and Continuing Commitment to Improved School Infrastructure

The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, said today that significant repair and maintenance work is taking place in schools across Newfoundland and Labrador and progress is being made in efforts to ensure quality, safe learning environments for students, teachers and staff.

Minister Burke noted that the Department of Education recognizes the findings on the monitoring of air quality in schools contained in the Auditor General�s report released today. "We have not only acknowledged the need for a focus on the repair and maintenance of school infrastructure, but are making a significant and sustained effort to address long-standing needs in the system," said Minister Burke. "This is a priority for me, as Minister of Education, as well as government overall, and is continuing to be supported by consistent increases in funding to help get the job done."

Funding for school infrastructure has increased by 500 per cent from $14.7 million in 2004-05 to $88.8 million this year. This includes an allocation of approximately $47.5 million for 450 air quality related projects. In addition, the Provincial Government has provided a $4.2 million annual investment to increase repairs and maintenance funding to school districts from 55 cents to 92 cents per square foot.

In addition, an enhanced inspection program is being piloted to specifically identify conditions in schools which may affect air quality through the use of environmental health officers. This is intended to help school districts with their maintenance and repair planning. These inspections primarily identify things such as water infiltration from areas such as leaking roofs and windows, poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, and other maintenance problems which may lead to excess moisture, mould growth or other air quality issues. Issues identified through these inspections have been or are currently in the process of being addressed.

While it has been suggested that the department should undertake a province-wide air quality testing program, the recent experience of the department has shown that air quality testing is not necessarily the best or only approach to combating air quality issues such as mould. For example, air sampling may not detect mould, especially if it is concealed behind walls. In addition, such a program conducted in 1998, which saw 244 of the province�s then 391 schools tested, did not resolve the conditions which lead to air quality issues.

"This approach clearly did not adequately address the factors which may lead to air quality issues, namely water infiltration and the need for well-funded maintenance programs," said Minister Burke. "Our focus is on identifying and repairing, in as timely a manner as possible, issues which may lead to mould and poor air quality. The volume of this type of work being undertaken in recent years is substantial � from 168 roofing projects to 129 window and siding replacements, as well as over 140 other air quality related projects. While there is still work to be done, we are making progress and we will continue to improve school buildings across the province."

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Media contact:

Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2009 01 21                                                      11:45 a.m.
 


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