NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
Teachers Disappointed with Lack of Education Commitments in Throne Speech

The new Provincial Government delivered its first Speech from the Throne and educators across Newfoundland and Labrador are disappointed with the lack of education-related commitments delivered.

"This new government had an opportunity in its first Throne Speech to clearly state that it is listening to educators and committed to improving the k-12 public education system. Unfortunately, that's not what we heard," said Dale Lambe, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association.  "Instead, we heard virtual silence on education and no recognition of the dedicated teachers keeping our system functioning every day. We need to see action from this government, action that will improve the learning conditions of our students and the working conditions of our teachers." 

Teachers and administrators are trying to create an environment in which students can learn and grow, an overwhelmingly difficult task when they are faced with inadequate resources, complex class compositions, daily incidents of violence, and teacher and student assistant shortages. The Association has been calling on government to step up and show real leadership when it comes to improving education in this province.

"What happens in our schools is reflected in our communities and what happens in our communities is reflected in our schools," said President Lambe.  "Properly resourcing our schools will go a long way to positively impacting our other social pillars, like our health, our communities and our economy. This government has had many opportunities to demonstrate that they understand this - in the ministerial mandate letter, in the pre-budget engagement process, in the Premier's first 100 days and in the Throne Speech.  But there has been no mention of any work towards implementing their education-related commitments.  This is not good enough."

The Association will continue to advocate for concrete action on education and calls on the public to join in urging government to make it a real priority.