SASK. PARTY CUTS DENY STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS ACCESS TO EDUCATION

Kids Forced Home In Middle of School Day Due To Lack of Supports

SASKATOON – Students requiring additional support are being sent home early or placed on modified schedules due to a lack of resources and staffing in Saskatchewan schools, the result of years of cuts to per-student funding.

Saskatchewan used to have some of the highest levels of per-student funding in Canada — now they’re among the worst.

“Our kids are our future, and they deserve a good start in life,” said Matt Love, Shadow Minister for Education. “Students across the province are being sent home because there aren’t resources available for them, and the Sask. Party has been hiding this issue in education for years. It’s time that these families were heard, and the province stepped up for these children.”

Families from Saskatoon joined MLA Love to share their stories and call on the Sask. Party to step up their education funding so that local school divisions aren’t forced to make these difficult decisions every day.

Rochelle Young’s son is in Grade 2 and has autism. She says that her school is doing their best to support her son but simply does not have the resources to accommodate him safely.

“Schools are doing their best,” Young said. “They’re making impossible decisions in hopes of keeping all students safe, but each time kids like mine are left behind.

“This government wants to turn a blind eye. How dare they be so ignorant.”

Erin Fergusson’s son in Grade 4 also has autism and is being sent home from school frequently when no educational assistant is available for him.

“Earlier this year I spoke out about my son losing his EA. He lost his EA when Jordan’s Principle funding was pulled and the Sask. Party did not backfill the funding,” said Fergusson. “Now, six months later, he is on a modified school schedule because they can’t ensure his safety with the current staffing allotment. My son is brilliant. Our government is failing him miserably.”

Earlier this year, Saskatchewan lost hundreds of educational assistant positions due to the loss of Jordan’s Principle funding. Educational assistants and the union representing them repeatedly called on the Sask. Party to backfill the lost funding.

The Saskatchewan NDP continues to call on the Sask. Party to stop cutting per-student education funding, so all students get the resources they need to attend school and get a good start in life.

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