Hon. Judy M. Foote, Minister
Education

An educated population is critical to the development of our province�s economic and social well being. The creation of the new Department of Youth Services and Post-secondary Education underscores government�s commitment to investing in our young people and our post-secondary system and helping to create new opportunities for the people of our province.

Hon. Sandra C. Kelly, Minister
Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education

For further information:
Department of Education � 729-0048
Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education � 729-6573
www.gov.nf.ca

Government has created:

• a new Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education with a greater emphasis on programs and services for youth and higher education; and
  
  
• a realigned Department of Education with a more intense focus on K-12, literacy, libraries and early childhood education.

This is important because:

• these new departments will ensure appropriate programs and services are in place to provide learning opportunities for all citizens;
  
  
• there is no greater investment we can make than in our youth;
  
  
• a well educated population is essential to economic prosperity and social well-being; and
  
  
• investment in education and skills training yields large pay-offs, not only for individuals but for whole economies.

The people of Newfoundland and Labrador have told us to focus on:

• building a high quality education system
  
  
• educational achievement
  
  
• early childhood education
  
  
• literacy
  
  
• opportunities for students in rural schools
  
  
• the transition from school to work
  
  
• student debt

Our province has seen significant improvements in K-12 education, including the ratio of teachers to students, graduation rates, teacher qualifications, per-student expenditures and education attainment levels.

Over the last 12 years the pupil-teacher ratio has improved significantly. In 1989, we had one teacher for every 15.6 students. In September 2001, we will have one teacher for every 13.3 students. Our investment in teaching resources is the best of any province in Canada.

Our expenditure per student continues to grow. Between 1997/98 and 2001/02, school enrolment will have declined by 14,500 students, or 14.8%. Yet, over the same period, our expenditure per student (excluding capital) will have grown from $5,557 to $6,434, an increase of 15.8%.

Since 1998/99, $160 million has been invested in new school construction and renovations � the largest investment in education since Confederation. Eight new state-of-the-art schools have been constructed and construction is underway or about to commence for 10 additional schools.

Major extensions or renovations costing $33 million have been completed on 27 other schools. Air quality testing on 225 schools led to approximately $10 million being spent for air quality improvements in over 200 schools.

School boards also have utilized savings from school closures for capital projects. Rather than have the savings revert to government, school boards have been able to keep them for a period of three years for reinvestment in our schools. In total, $23.4 million has been reinvested in schools as a result of this initiative.

Post-secondary education participation is at an all time high. Over 80% of high school graduates are enrolling in post-secondary programs.

Over the past 20 years high school completion rates for young adults have risen from 58% to 85% and post-secondary completion rates have risen from 27% to 58%.

Increasing Affordability:

• Tuition has remained frozen at 1998-99 levels at all public institutions. University tuition fees in this province are the lowest in Atlantic Canada. College fees are the second lowest.
  
  
• Tuition at Memorial University will be cut by 10% in September 2001. College of the North Atlantic tuition will continue to be frozen.
  
  
• Government spends $6.1 million annually to reduce the provincial student loan for high-need students who complete longer programs in a timely manner. A Student Aid Review Advisory Committee will present recommendations on further debt reduction measures this year.

Investing in our Future:

• In spite of reduced federal transfers for post-secondary education, provincial government funding for public post-secondary institutions has increased by 21.3% since 1997-98.
  
  
• Through our $29 million commitment to the Opportunity Fund, Government is helping fund new scholarships and build new state-of-the-art facilities at Memorial University.
  
  
• The new Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education will:
  
  
• establish a Youth Advisory Committee as a forum for youth to communicate with government;
  
  
• develop a Youth Apprenticeship Program to create better linkages between youth and the labour force;
  
  
• take the lead on the federal/provincial labour Market Development Agreement which will provide $127 million in 2001-02 for training and other employment initiatives.
  
• $773 million total funding (current and capital) in the two departments of Education, and Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. Highlights include:

K-12 Education and Literacy:

• $11 million to retain 218 teaching positions in schools � this despite a projected enrolment decline of over 3,500 students.
  
  
• $3.5 million for school boards to cover prior year�s utility costs.
  
  
• $5.6 million reinvested in school board operating grants.
  
  
• $5 million for the continued implementation of the recommendations of the Ministerial Panel Report on Educational Delivery in the Classroom.
  
  
• $1 million to the Provincial Information and Library Resource Board for new library books.
  
  
• $500,000 for implementation of the Strategic Literacy Plan.
  
  
• $23 million additional funding for new school construction bringing the total to $160 million.

• $3.3 million to achieve a 10% reduction in tuition fees for students at Memorial University beginning September 2001.
  
  
• $4 million for a new Student Investment and Opportunity Corporation to coordinate new and existing youth employment programs - a total investment of $8.8 million for 2001-02.
  
  
• $8.1 million has been allocated to be spent on renovations and equipment at the College of the North Atlantic
  
  
• A further $3 million installment to the MUN Opportunity Fund.
  
  
• $500,000 for Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic to lever additional federal research funding.