Sask. Party needs to stop the cuts and invest in our classrooms

Recently released school division annual reports show that, even before the Sask. Party’s most recent heartless budget, Sask. Party cuts to education had already resulted in more than $23 million being cut from the funding that went directly into teaching children in Saskatchewan classrooms last year.

“Despite the Sask. Party’s claims, their cuts are hitting our kids’ classrooms. It’s right there in black and white; the money available for instruction – teaching our kids – has been cut,” said Education Critic Carla Beck. “On top of the $23 million in instruction that was cut last year, the Sask. Party used their heartless budget to cut another $55 million from education this year. The Sask. Party mismanaged the finances but it’s our kids who are paying the price.”

The $55 million in government funding cut in the 2017-2018 Sask. Party budget only adds to the deep education cuts that have come in years before. Earlier this year, it was revealed that there are already 188 fewer teachers in Saskatchewan classrooms this year, even though there are 4500 more students. It was also recently announced that Saskatoon Public School Division had to eliminate 29 educational assistant positions and Chinook School division sent out a memo this month looking to make cuts as a result of being left with 55 unfunded teaching positions.

The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association are speaking out and calling on the Sask. Party to commit to no further funding cuts in the 2018-19 budget and to restore funding to adequate levels.

“The Sask. Party’s cuts have brought education in Saskatchewan to a crisis point. It was the Sask. Party’s mismanagement, scandal and waste that led us here and it’s not fair to make our kids pay the price,” Beck said. “The government needs to recognize the damage they’ve already done and commit to ending these damaging cuts and reinvest in our classrooms.”

Latest posts

CARLA BECK GOVERNMENT WOULD RESTORE DIRECT-TO-LANDLORD RENT PAYMENTS AS MOOSE JAW FACES RISING HOMELESSNESS

More Affordable Housing, Rent Control Also Part Of Plan Being Developed By Beck’s Team
MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck’s team is in Moose Jaw today committing that, should they form the next provincial government, her team will restore direct-to-landlord rent payments for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) clients.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM BRINGS PRIMARY CARE PLAN TO PRINCE ALBERT, GUARANTEES EVERY PERSON HAS A FAMILY PHYSICIAN

PRINCE ALBERT – Yesterday, Carla Beck’s team released the first phase of their plan to deliver big, bold changes in healthcare for Saskatchewan, which starts with prioritizing primary care. Today, MLA Keith Jorgenson, Associate Shadow Minister for Health, has brought the plan to Prince Albert to discuss how it can revitalize healthcare for residents in the area.

CARLA BECK’S BIG, BOLD HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION STARTS WITH GUARANTEED ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE TEAM

Four-Pillar Plan Will Build Healthcare Homes, Connect Local Services and Bring Care Closer to People
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is unveiling the first phase of its plan to transform the province’s struggling healthcare system — guaranteeing every Saskatchewan resident access to a primary care team that knows them, coordinates their care and is responsible for them over time.

SCOTT MOE NEEDS TO REVERSE ELIMINATION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TESTING PROGRAM

Carla Beck’s Team Stand With Hunters To Decry Shortsighted, Out-Of-Touch Decision By Sask. Party

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is continuing to join widespread calls from hunters and wildlife groups for Scott Moe to reverse his senseless cut to chronic wasting disease testing. The decision was made without consultation or warning in the middle of Saskatchewan's hunting season.

NDP Caucus Office