Minister Participates in Webcast to Launch Education Week

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, joined Lily B. Cole, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, today for a webcast marking the opening of Education Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The theme for Education Week (March 4-10) is techKNOWLEDGEy – technoSAVOIR.

“The Provincial Government recognizes the importance of emerging technology as an effective tool to enhance teaching and learning within our school system,” said Minister Jackman. “We have invested heavily in new technology to assist both teachers and students in our schools. Over the past five years alone, $16.4 million has been allocated for computers and interactive whiteboard technology for the K-12 education system.”

The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association organizes Education Week in this province as a means to highlight the importance of education and the people who deliver it.

“The purpose of Education Week is to celebrate education and to encourage parents, community members and other educational stakeholders to become more involved with education, along with students and teachers,” said Ms. Cole. “Our theme this year is a unique play on the words technology and knowledge and the impact of both within education, communications and learning.”

Minister Jackman noted the Provincial Government has made many strategic investments in education over the years to support students, teachers and parents in the educational development of young people.

“This government has made education a major priority over the past nine years,” said Minister Jackman. “With an investment of nearly $850 million earmarked for K-12 education in 2011 – a 42 per cent increase since 2004 - students and teachers have a wide array of resources available to maximize teaching and learning opportunities.”

For more information on Education Week, visit: www.nlta.nl.ca/home.

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Photo: Education Minister Clyde Jackman speaks to NLTA president Lily B. Cole this morning just prior to a webcast to launch Education Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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2012 03 05                      10:10 a.m.