Minister Welcomes Students and Staff Back to School

A new school year is starting, and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, is welcoming students, teachers and staff back to class, with a continued commitment by the Provincial Government to providing quality educational experiences for all children throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

“As a former teacher and principal, I recall the new school year being a time of excitement and renewal, and sometimes a time of adjustment,” said Minister Jackman. “But it was always a time when students, teachers and administrators committed to working together in the pursuit of excellence. I encourage students to enjoy this time and to take every advantage of the extraordinary opportunities available to them, to put their best effort forward, participate in school activities, and treat their fellow classmates with respect and kindness. I wish everyone a successful and productive school year.”

Minister Jackman noted the year begins with students in Newfoundland and Labrador benefiting from an education system that provides the best pupil-teacher ratio of any province in Canada; the highest per-pupil expenditure in Atlantic Canada, and a commitment to safe and caring school environments.

“I also want to thank members of the School Board Transition Committee for their hard work over the summer months and as we transition to the new Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board,” said Minister Jackman. “I know that student achievement will continue to be the focus of the board and school district staff in offices in St. John’s, Gander, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and in schools throughout the province.”

Budget 2013 provided $840.6 million to support ongoing priority investments in K-12 education, including $537 million for teaching services and supports to teachers; $102 million for new and ongoing school infrastructure projects; $49.4 million for student transportation, and continued investment in curriculum renewal, cultural programming, free textbooks, funding to support the elimination of school fees, and more.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca 

2013 09 04                                              9:30 a.m.