School boards across the province are getting a much-needed boost this year with a $107-million commitment from the new premier, Alison Redford.
In her campaigning for the Progressive Conservative leadership in past months, Redford vowed to reverse cuts to education, which left many with a bitter taste in their mouths.
In hopes of reversing the trauma faced by educational institutions, $791,276 has been directed to the Pembina Hills school division, while Evergreen Catholic is slated to receive $662,260.
This is a one-time deal for the 2011/12 school year and is aimed at reversing the negative effects of the harsh cuts made earlier this year by then-premier Ed Stelmach. The cuts are blamed for as many as 1,000 teacher layoffs throughout the province.
When school boards got word of the budget cuts, they were forced to cut costs wherever possible, which unfortunately resulted in teachers being booted from the classroom. This is not necessarily because teachers are seen as expendable resources, but rather, because the school board saw no other option.
Although many will criticize this decision, it is a choice the various school boards felt was necessary to ensure that schools stayed open and they saw it as the best possible outcome, keeping the best interests of students in mind. By having less teachers means having larger class sizes, a move that will put added stress not only on the teachers who are still in the classroom, but on the students who are trying to learn.
Education is a fundamental pillar in society. It allows young people to become educated on the world around them, it teaches them life lessons like sharing and compassion and it enables them to become leaders.
During election time, many are asked what their main points of contention are and they usually include both education and health care high up in their lists.
It is evident that education is important in the province and should, therefore, be considered as such by those that lead the province into the future.
For something so important, it only makes sense that the leader of the province would see the importance and act accordingly. It is evident now that Redford values education.
Not only is this funding making it easier for the school boards as they prepare their budgets, but students as well. By having more money injected into education, it will trickle down to benefit the scholars, who will one day lead the province to greater success.
