Nova Scotia students deserve investment now

HALIFAX, Sept. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - NSTU president Shelley Morse is concerned that recent education announcements providing literacy support, extending the class cap, and increasing guidance counsellors are not being put in place immediately. "If the province is able to invest more in education, why isn't it important to invest the money for this school year?" she asks.

Morse is referring to $6 million announced to extend the Succeeding in Reading program over two years, an additional $6.5 million announced to extend the class size cap of 25 in Grades 4 through 6 over three years, and $4.6 million to increase the number of guidance counsellors in schools over three years.

"None of this additional funding is coming for this school year," she says. "Students need support now, and teachers have been stretching to cover the $65 million cut from the education system over the last three years."

This time a year ago, 350 fewer teachers were in the system and class size became an issue. "Last fall approximately 70 teaching positions were added to deal with overcrowded classrooms at the Primary to Grade 3 level," continues Morse. "This announcement came at the end of September and was implemented immediately."

"If our government truly believes in putting kids and learning first, they will increase funding to support this for this school year. Nova Scotian students deserve no less."

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union represents more than 10,000 public school teachers, Community College faculty and professional support staff in Nova Scotia, and teachers who work for the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Since 1895, it has worked to improve the quality of public education for children and youth in Nova Scotia, while promoting and advancing the teaching profession.

SOURCE: Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Angela Murray, NSTU Public Relations Coordinator
(Mobile) 902-497-0194, [email protected], @NSTeachersUnion