Investing in Education a $1.3 Billion Priority

Education and lifelong learning remain major Provincial Government priorities as
Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future focuses on priority investments designed to maintain a pupil-teacher ratio that is the envy of the country, and to provide high quality, affordable educational programming and services to the province’s population.

“An $840.6 million investment in early childhood learning and K-12 education will focus on early learning opportunities, supporting students in the classroom, and ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador maintains the best pupil-teacher ratio of any province in Canada,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “There has been unprecedented investment in education in recent years, despite significant enrolment decline. This year, our government has worked very hard to find efficiencies which would maintain our focus on student learning, as we prepare our young people for post-secondary endeavours and a bright and prosperous future.”

Budget 2013 changes are designed to protect priority services for student learning, without reducing regular classroom teachers who deliver the required curriculum.
It also makes provision for two provincial school boards in Newfoundland and Labrador as of September 2013 – one English-language board and one French-language board.

The Provincial Government recognizes the importance of furthering education beyond high school and is making key investments to sustain an affordable and accessible post-secondary system. Budget 2013 allocates over $466 million to enhance skills and training at the post-secondary level.

“With the continuation of a tuition freeze at Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic, our significant investments are keeping tuition rates in this province approximately 50 per cent lower than the national average, making our post-secondary education more affordable, accessible and responsive to a growing demand for skilled labour,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “In 2013, when employment opportunities are tied to training and skills like never before, post-secondary education is a proven path to prosperity. Budget 2013 investments ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador remains one of the best places in the world to receive training, raise a family and build a career, with students accessing high-quality post-secondary education at an affordable cost.”
For further details see the Backgrounders: Budget 2013: A Sound Plan for K-12 Education; and, Budget 2013 Investments in Post-Secondary Education.

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• Backgrounder - Budget 2013: A Sound Plan for K-12 Education
• Backgrounder - Budget 2013 Investments in Post-Secondary Education

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2013 03 26                             3:10 p.m.