|
NLIS 5
March 10, 2005
(Executive Council)
(Education)
Government announces major maintenance
commitment for schools
Premier Danny Williams was joined by Education
Minister Tom Hedderson today to announce a major, pre-budget commitment to
school infrastructure. The Premier announced an increase in the allocation
for major maintenance projects to $12 million, in addition to the $4 million
to complete previously approved projects for a value of $16 million worth of
maintenance and repair projects to be completed this year.
"I am pleased to announce to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that
government is committed to a $16 million major maintenance and repairs
initiative for our schools this year," said Premier Williams. "Including
carry over funding from last year, this represents a 50 per cent increase
for major maintenance projects. Our children, teachers and staff must have
safe and healthy educational environments, and this funding will result in
substantial improvement in school buildings with the most urgent needs. This
$16 million is only one piece of the overall capital construction
initiatives that will proceed in the next year. Additional funding for new
construction, retrofit and expansion projects will be announced budget day."
The Premier noted that in the past month, unusual weather conditions have
drawn attention to maintenance needs in some of the province�s older
schools. "We recognized the need to act quickly. In the short term, our
focus will be on fixing and upgrading school buildings to prevent water from
penetrating the interiors and correcting areas where water damage has
already occurred. It is the first step in government�s overall plan to
address school maintenance and capital improvements province-wide."
In addition to the $16 million announced, the Premier and Minister Hedderson
unveiled government�s strategy for addressing long-term needs of schools.
Minister Hedderson committed to an initiative which will ensure the earlier
commencement of construction projects. "We have a remarkably short window of
opportunity for capital construction and renovations in this province, and
we have recognized that there is an opportunity to be more efficient in
approving construction projects earlier. Therefore, we will ensure that
projects are tendered during the spring to allow contractors to prepare for
work to start as soon as schools close for the summer, or earlier, depending
on the projects," the minister said.
Government also committed $250,000 for the development of a long-term
strategic plan for school infrastructure. "We recognize that many of our
schools are similar in age particularly in larger centres, and in need of
major up-grading, redevelopment or replacement,"said Minister Hedderson.
"These issues need to be addressed in the short and long term. With school
board consolidation now complete and in recognition that we continue to
experience a declining student enrolment and shifting demographics, now is a
perfect time to take stock of our existing infrastructure and our needs for
the future."
Projects identified for funding from this pre-commitment process will be
determined in consultation with the school boards and priorities which have
been assigned by the boards.
"We need to work together with education partners throughout the province to
ensure we have appropriate and effective long-term planning. Our school
boards and school councils are on the front line of education delivery in
this province, and we will look to them to provide direction as we move
forward with improving all aspects of our education system," said Premier
Williams.
Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960,
690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Lynn Salter, Communications, Education, (709) 729-0048, 695-5000
2005 03 10
2:15 p.m.
|
