The following statement was read today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education:

Students Showcase Talents at Theatre Arts Festival

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the great privilege of opening the Provincial Theatre Arts Festival, and then attending many of the performances which took place in the host city of Corner Brook.

The talent and commitment displayed by the students, teachers and volunteers, both onstage and behind the scenes, was absolutely incredible. I am always impressed by the quality of our school-based theatre productions, Mr. Speaker, and this year’s festival did not disappoint.

As a government, we know that involvement in the arts helps students to discover and develop their artistic talent and creative skills. It helps build confidence and self-esteem, and contributes to a student’s overall personal development. The $50,000 in annual support for the Provincial Theatre Arts Festival program is just one way in which our government is promoting the arts within our schools.

Mr. Speaker, in 2005, the Provincial Government introduced Cultural Connections, a program designed to support and enhance arts programming in our schools. Since that time, over $17.4 million has been invested in musical equipment, art supplies, books, music festivals, heritage fairs and other programs and activities to benefit students and participating artists. That program did not exist before, Mr. Speaker. We introduced it, and we continue to support it.

In addition, we have substantially increased the allocation of specialist teachers to the system over the years. This includes teachers for music, theatre and art. We also introduced an allocation of specialist teachers at the primary and elementary level – an allocation which did not exist before, Mr. Speaker. Again, we introduced it. In fact, there will be 246 more specialist teachers in the education system in September than there would have been under the allocation model approved under the previous administration – and a great many of them are specialists in the fine arts. I believe that speaks to our commitment to the development of the whole child.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues in this House to join me in congratulating the organizers, participants, volunteers and the audiences, who all contributed to making the 2013 Provincial Theatre Arts Festival a resounding success.

2013 05 15                                        2:25 p.m.