May 14, 1998
(Education)

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

The Budget of March 26 this year announced a major new investment in education with the establishment of the Newfoundland and Labrador Education Investment Corporation. A budget of $50 million was established for the next two years.

As all members know, the Corporation was set up to facilitate the construction, renovation, extension and equipping of educational facilities throughout our province.

Shortly after this initiative was unveiled, we invited school boards to submit a list of priorities from all 10 districts for school repairs and maintenance to be carried out this summer.

I want to inform the House today that collectively the Boards have submitted a long list of prospective projects for the Investment Corporation's consideration. The Corporation, in cooperation with school boards, is currently sifting through all proposals and expects to be in a position to approve numerous projects in all 10 school districts so that necessary work can begin immediately upon schools closing for the summer break in June.

We are expecting that major improvements will be carried out on as many as 100 schools over the summer months.

Not only will these initiatives significantly improve the physical appearance of schools throughout the province, but will also provide much needed work for our people.

The $50 million fund through the Education Investment Corporation for capital related works in our schools represents the largest single investment in educational infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador since Confederation. This will also be the most ambitious maintenance and repair program ever carried out in our schools over the summer months.

As part of the education reform process, we are delivering on our commitment to improve educational facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador and provide a safer, cleaner, healthier environment for all students.

1998 05 14                 3:10 p.m.