The new budget for the Department of Education responds to the learning needs of Islanders in a fiscally responsible manner.
Education Minister Jeffrey E. Lantz said today that the increase in the department's base funding by $2.79 million in 2002-03 to $201.9 million will address identified needs in the areas of instructional staff, special education and post-secondary education.
"Our government places a high value on learning and learning opportunities," said Minister Lantz. "Since the budget address on March 26, meetings have taken place with several education stakeholder groups and organizations to discuss the Department of Education budget for this fiscal year."
Minister Lantz noted that the provincial government is maintaining the number of teacher positions despite declining enrollments. This represents an investment of approximately $1.8 million to maintain 33 positions.
The 2002-03 education budget also includes increased funding to support the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA). APSEA provides educational services, programs, and opportunities for persons from birth to 21 years of age with low incidence sensory impairments. This includes children and youth who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. Also in the area of special education, additional resources will also be directed toward the Provincial Integrated Autism Policy.
In the area of curriculum, 2002-03 marks the end of the new mathematics implementation. This year the curriculum will be introduced at the Grade 12 level. There will be continued supports in the areas of Transitions, resource-based learning and Reading Recovery™.
Construction at Kinkora Regional High School will proceed as originally scheduled under Phase 1 of the Capital Construction Plan for schools. Due to a shortfall in government revenues, Phase 2 of the construction projects at Summerside Intermediate and Bluefield Senior High will be delayed. Considerable improvements were made to these schools under Phase 1 of the construction and repair program.
"Our government is committed to the healthy development of our youngest citizens," said Minister Lantz. "This September will see the start of year three of our publicly-funded, community-based kindergarten program. As part of our review of the program, we are looking at the age of entry for Grade 1 students. We know that Grade 1 students in Prince Edward Island are among the youngest in the country. The Department of Education will be conducting public consultations on this subject in May."
In the area of post-secondary education, the new budget includes second year funding to UPEI's School of Nursing to support an additional 14 new seats at the school, additional funding to Atlantic Veterinary College of $288,100 based on year two of a five-year business plan and year three of a three-year commitment to the University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College to increase the base budgets for each institution by $1 million per year.
Minister Lantz said that increasing learning opportunities for Islanders is a priority. To that end, the Community Service Bursary program has received a contribution of $100,000. The program offers Island students in Grades 11 and 12, who plan to attend any post secondary institution, a tuition credit in recognition of volunteer work performed in the community.
The Department of Education is also working with other provincial departments and federal colleagues in the development of a career promotion plan which will assist the skills shortages in a number of occupations, particularly within the trades field. Minister Lantz said this initiative will help ensure that young people are more aware of opportunities in these areas so that they may begin meaningful trades, services and health care careers.