NLIS 2 November 13, 2003 (Education) Education minister releases 2003-04 enrolment figures Education Minister John Ottenheimer today released preliminary student enrolment statistics for the 2003-04 school year. The minister reported that the K-12 student population in Newfoundland and Labrador is continuing to decline, as evidenced in the latest figures compiled by the Department of Education. "Preliminary numbers for 2003-04 indicate there are 81,634 students enrolled in the K-12 system this year, 2,634 fewer than last year," Minister Ottenheimer said. "The province�s K-12 enrolment has been dropping since 1971-72, and underscores the challenges educational partners face in ensuring that our children have the best possible educational opportunities. It is our responsibility to provide for them every opportunity to learn and succeed, and our government is committed to achieving that goal." The enrolment figures show a drop in each of the province�s 11 school districts and an overall 3.1 per cent decline for the province as a whole (table follows). "I am committed to examining all issues which have an impact on the delivery of educational services in Newfoundland and Labrador," the minister said. "Clearly one of the major issues will be the reality of declining enrolment and what we can do to ensure it does not adversely affect our ability to provide quality education services long into the future." The minister is planning to meet with representatives of each of the school districts in the coming weeks to discuss a wide range of educational issues. Media contact: Nora Daly, Communications, (709) 729-1906
Preliminary
Enrolment by School District
2003 11 13 1:00 p.m. |
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