9,477 classroom teachers in 2016/2017, 9,478 in 2023/2024; enrolment has increased by 15,254
SASKATOON - Today, Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck released new education workforce numbers. Since the 2016/2017 school year, the total number of classroom teachers has only increased by one while enrolment has increased by 15,254.
“I’ve heard from countless folks who’ve moved their families and businesses out of province because their kids aren’t getting the education they need here,” said Beck. “We owe it to our kids to set them up for success. They deserve more supports, not less.”
The total number of classroom teachers has only increased by 1.1 positions over the last 8 years under the Sask. Party’s leadership. In 2016/17, the year before Scott Moe came to office, Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions reported 9,477.2 classroom teachers. Today the figure is 9,478.3.
Over the same period, Saskatchewan schools have a total of 7 less social workers, 3.5 less occupational therapists, 27.1 less counsellors, 11 less psychologists, and 7 less speech language pathologists. Student enrolment has increased by 15,254 since 2016/17.
“It's very disappointing that Scott Moe and his Minister have stopped listening to parents and teachers,” said Beck. “This Sask. Party government has lost sight of the right priorities. It’s time for a government that makes our kids’ education a priority again.”
The Sask. Party government has cut per-student funding for the better part of a decade, going from the highest levels of funding in Canada to one of the worst.
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