Education
June 26, 2009Government
Investments Realize Advancements in K-12 Education
The renewal and growth of the K-12 education system
continued during the 2008-09 school year with unprecedented investments
by the Provincial Government. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of
Education, said today that this school year has seen further
improvements to school infrastructure, as well as enhancements to
programming and resources for students, teachers and staff.
"At this time of year, we look back to see what�s been
accomplished in classrooms and schools over the past 10 months and we�ve
got a lot to be proud of," said Minister King. "We are particularly
pleased with the massive amount of funding available for improvements
for infrastructure which is resulting in projects to improve school
buildings across the province."
Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation
has allocated an additional $31 million for repairs and maintenance,
extensions and new school construction bringing the total budget to
$121.5 million. This is an increase of over $100 million since 2004,
resulting in approximately 500 projects, including over 200 roofing
projects and 190 building envelope projects, such as the replacement of
windows and siding. In total, 470 air quality projects have been
concluded.
"Given that there are 279 schools in the province,
this in an incredible amount of work that is having a positive impact
across the system," said Minister King. "The repair and maintenance of
our school buildings has been identified as a priority by our government
and we are seeing very tangible results as schools undergo significant
improvements."
In addition, new schools are being built in Paradise,
L�Anse au Loup, Baie Verte, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Placentia, Port Hope
Simpson, Port Saunders and Torbay.
This school year has also seen advances in programming
and resources. Teaching units were added to the system, class sizes have
been capped in Kindergarten to Grade 4 and Grade 7, with a similar
reduction planned for Grades 5 and 8 in 2009-10 and the implementation
of the ISSP/Pathways report continues.
"I offer my congratulations to students and teachers
as another successful school year comes to an end," said Minister King.
"Our government continues to make strategic investments to support the
growth of the education system, which is critical to the success of our
students and province. I wish everyone a safe and happy summer, and in
particular I offer good luck to our Grade 12 graduates who will be
taking up new challenges after high school. Best wishes to all of you."
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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
2009 06 26
9:40 a.m.