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

Minister Highlights Record-breaking Graduation Rate

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a significant milestone in the history of education in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In the 2012-13 school year, this province recorded its best ever high school graduation rate, with 94.2 per cent of eligible graduates earning a diploma.

As I noted publicly a few weeks ago, this is a tremendous achievement, and speaks to the commitment of our students, teachers, parents, as well as school board and department personnel. While we have consistently shown a graduation rate of over 90 per cent since 2008, this is the best result we have ever recorded, Mr. Speaker. I believe it shows that today’s students understand that education is the key to a successful future, and that it all starts with a high school diploma.

It is also worth noting, Mr. Speaker, that over the past several years, more students are graduating with an honours or academic diploma as opposed to a general diploma. This is an important development, Mr. Speaker, as it means more of our students are graduating with diplomas that allow them to pursue a wide range of post-secondary opportunities. It’s all about having choices, keeping all the options open, and having the best possible head-start in the realization of lifelong goals.

This milestone has not been achieved without great effort, Mr. Speaker. For example, this is the third consecutive year that the department has offered two opportunities for students to write supplementary public exams – in August and November – in order to allow students a chance to achieve graduation status or improve their standing. So, following the results of this month’s supplementary exams, the graduation rate could improve even more.

I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the graduating class of 2012-13, and to wish them every success in their future endeavours.

2013 11 05                                     1:50 p.m.