REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck announced that a Saskatchewan NDP government would negotiate on class size and complexity. The announcement came as thousands of teachers rallied at the Legislature.
“For the sake of our kids, this province needs a government that acts like adults. A deal should have been done weeks ago,” said Beck. “It’s time for a government that will actually listen to the concerns of parents and teachers and bargain in good faith.”
During the last round of talks with teachers, the Sask. Party government promised to fix class size and complexity. Then Education Minister Gord Wyant launched a class size and composition committee instead of formally negotiating on the issue. The Sask. Party government promised that the committee would deliver concrete results before the 2020 election.
“It’s easy to understand why teachers and parents don’t trust this Sask. Party government,” said Education Critic Matt Love. “Before the last election, the Sask. Party government promised action on class size and composition and failed to deliver. Teachers and parents have been burnt before.”
Other provinces such as British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have language in their collective agreements relating to class size and complexity.
Saskatchewan once led the nation in per student funding back in 2016 - but under Scott Moe, the province has now dropped to eighth out of the ten provinces.
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