Today, NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) rose in the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador to question government on critical issues in our school system, including class size and composition, as well as fire safety regulations in classrooms.
Dinn questioned government on their commitment to addressing class sizes, a promise made in their platform. He highlighted that as classrooms grow larger, teachers face increasing challenges ensuring student safety and giving the necessary attention to those who need extra support.
“Speaker, while the PCs promised during the election to address long-standing education issues such as large classes with complex needs and school violence, the working conditions of our educational staff, and the learning conditions of our students, the Throne Speech was strangely silent,” said Dinn.
“I ask the Minister of Education if he will table a plan to address class size and
composition and school violence in this sitting of the House of Assembly.”
He then asked about the capacity orders in K-12 classrooms, calling for government to ensure that the fire capacity orders are posted in classrooms.
“Speaker, Canadian Fire regulations recommend 20 square feet (1.85 metres) per person in a classroom and a minimum of 30 inches (76cm) between rows of desks. Under the Fire Protection Services Act, public meeting spaces have capacity orders posted, setting maximum occupancy limits.”
“I ask the minister; Will he commit to posting capacity orders on classrooms in our K-12 school system to make sure rooms in our schools are not over capacity and our students and staff are safe?”