Minister Pleased That Space Can Now Be Assured for the 1,400 Kindergarten Children Who Will Enter Schools This Fall

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie is relieved that planning can now move forward to ensure that Eastern School District schools have adequate space for kindergarten students this fall.

“I welcome the Eastern School District trustees’ vote last night to ask Government for funding to add classrooms at three Charlottetown schools which do not have space for kindergarten students,” said Minister Currie. “I am pleased that their request was finally forthcoming because plans must be finalized and tenders issued immediately to allow the schools to be ready for the children in September.”

The trustees also voted at their January 27 meeting to amend Eastern School District policy to give the trustees until March 31, 2010, to prepare a report in support of rezoning at 13 schools.

Minister Currie has asked the trustees to meet with him to explain the educational rationale for their plans to rezone 13 schools by September 2010, and all schools in the district by September 2011. “My first priority is ensuring our teachers, parents, and the 1,400 children entering kindergarten in schools next fall that we are fully prepared. We are also firmly committed to working with the early childhood community to support the sector after kindergarten transitions. I would not want a focus on rezoning to take away from these important efforts.”

Minister Currie plans to meet with the trustees within the next few days.