Proper Education Funding Is Of Concern To All

ANDREW YOUNGER
Dartmouth - Cole Harbour Weekly News

December 31, 2010

December is often the time of holiday concerts. I had the pleasure to stop by a number of holiday performances at local schools, including dropping by the All City Music concerts at Prince Andrew High School. My joint holiday reception with MP Mike Savage at the Fairbanks Centre was treated to magical sounds of the Dartmouth All City String Ensemble. The talent of students at all grade levels in programs such as music, drama, and visual arts is on full display at this time of year and is always impressive.

At many of these performances, students and parents were asking me about the NDP’s proposal to cut public education by 22% over the next three years. It is something which should be concerning. After all its programs such as these, in addition to libraries, autism support, reduced class sizes, and course diversity at high school that are most at risk with such cuts.

While the NDP says the cuts should come from administration, eliminating all school boards and the entire administrative structure would only save 5%. And while enrollment has declined in Nova Scotia, school boards have already seen reductions as funding is provided on a per student basis.

According to the Nova Scotia School Boards Association the deep cuts would likely result in the loss of 2,000 teachers, hundreds of caretakers, guidance counselors, French language support personnel, and the closure of 70 schools. Almost a quarter of the people working in the public education system in Nova Scotia would be gone.
I am sure most Nova Scotians understand that the province has some tough financial decisions to make. But the mark of good governance is to make smart decisions and decisions which invest in the future. If the proposed cuts go through not only will our childrens’ education suffer, but our competitiveness will suffer.

As I visit schools, and see the work students, teachers, and others are doing I feel very positive about the future these students will bring to our province. We’ll all hear much more about the possible cuts in the coming months. I encourage you to get involved so the positive things we see from students in the arts, and in sciences and other areas don’t get lost.

Please take the time to visit my website and blog at www.andrewyounger.ca or call me with questions and thoughts at 406-4420.