For Immediate Release
November 19, 2024
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) and MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) called attention to issues being faced in schools, and how the government is being reactive, not proactive, when it comes to addressing education.
Recently, parents with students attending Menihek High School in Labrador City were sent emails saying they would need to begin paying “whole school” and “course specific” fees. Fees are intended to help purchase supplies for courses such as Art, Technology Education, and Nutrition. Brown says that this is a clear indication that this government is not adequately funding schools. Brown asked the Minister, “How many schools in the province are forced to rely on payment from parents to make up for the lack of funding from government?”
Menihek High School was without an elevator for a year, after it broke in November 2023. Parents with students attending the school spoke up about how this impacts their education and adds more pressure to teachers and staff. “Why are maintenance issues in schools taking over a year to be addressed?” Brown asked, noting how it is unacceptable to leave accessibility issued unaddressed for so long.
Violence in schools is rising, and Dinn says government is not doing enough to address it. Dinn talks about a recent incident that happened at a St. John’s school where a student brought a machete and knives to the school after being suspended for credible threats of violence. Dinn ask the Minister why she continues to refuse to address the issue in a meaningful way.
Dinn highlighted a landmark arbitration decision out of New Brunswick regarding violence in schools. NB Teachers’ Federation and the Department of Education determined the province violated its obligations under safety policies, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the collective agreement and awarded damages to the Principal and the Resource Teacher. “I ask the Minister, is she waiting for a landmark arbitration decision in this province before she takes the issue of violence in the classroom seriously?” Dinn asked.
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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