Education questions 'ignored,' says NDP Leader Mike Redmond
P.E.I. NDP Leader Mike Redmond wants answers from the Liberal government about how education is run in the province.
Redmond says in June he asked the Education Minister Hal Perry to explain what determines class composition and teacher-to-student ratios on P.E.I. He says he also wanted to know the formula used to determine student's classroom needs.
"The minister has ignored this simple request, and government has flipflopped on teacher cuts," said Redmond in a news release Tuesday.
Redmond now also wants to know how the seven positions cut from the school board office will affect curriculum development.
Redmond says the province should be looking at education as an investment into the future rather than a line item on a budget sheet.
He says education priorities should include:
- at least one hour of daily physical activity for every student;
- an end to teachers' out-of-pocket spending for everyday classroom needs;
- a strong emphasis on reading, writing and math;
- re-establishment of the Provincial Vocational Institute;
- a universal breakfast and lunch program.
