NSTU president concerned about proposed cuts to public education

HALIFAX, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - NSTU president Alexis Allen is gravely concerned about potential cuts to the public education system in Nova Scotia. Yesterday, the Nova Scotia School Boards Association presented a report to government outlining what a 22 per cent reduction in funding would look like for the province's public schools.

"The "back to balance" strategy that government asked of school boards would ultimately decimate the system and see the future of our students severely jeopardized," she says. "Cutting close to 3,500 positions from all areas will have a huge impact on supports and services to schools, and more importantly—students. "It would seem that the education of our students is being sacrificed for the deficit."

Allen is referring to dramatically reduced budget lines affecting classroom resources, professional development and equipment as well as staff cuts at all levels, including close to 2,000 teaching positions over the next three years. These are some of the proposed areas of reduction identified by Nova Scotia's superintendents through the NSSBA in its report to government.

Allen points out that there have been some real strides in reaching all students with the provision of more resources for special needs, Reading Recovery programs and the O2 program.

"Surely this government want us to be able to reach all students and help them succeed in their learning."

For further information:

Angela Murray, Public Relations Coordinator, [phone], Cell: [phone]