SASK. PARTY’S DECADE OF CLASSROOMS CUTS ROBS HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS OF EDUCATION

More Than 1,300 Students Being Sent Home Due To Lack Of Supports

SASKATOON — Hundreds of students with complex needs — likely more than 1,300 provincewide — are being denied their public education, with many being sent home over and over due to a lack of supports and staff to meet their needs.

The Official Opposition is demanding a commitment from Scott Moe’s Education Minister that an emergency plan be put in place by year’s end to keep every single Saskatchewan student in a classroom where they can learn and get the best opportunity to succeed.

The call comes after Inclusion Saskatchewan released the results of a series of Freedom of Information requests to school boards for the number of students being sent home due to a lack of supports. In all, the organization said potentially over 1,300 students are being denied education, or more than one-in-9 students with complex needs. Some divisions reported rates of exclusion as high as 23 per cent.

“The Sask. Party has failed these kids in such a horrific way,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader. “They have a right to education and deserve every chance to succeed — Scott Moe and his incompetent Education Minister should be ashamed — their decade of cuts have piled up on classrooms and it’s innocent students that are suffering.”

The data released by Inclusion Saskatchewan confirms a province-wide pattern of disabled students being denied the right to attend school full-time via reduced schedules, repeated early pick-ups, at-home “temporary” exclusions, and outright removal from school due to lack of supports in Saskatchewan schools.

Data was received from 18 of 27 school boards; however, the true extent of the problem is not known because the Sask. Party doesn’t even collect data on exclusions.

“If the Minister doesn’t concern himself with measuring the problem, why would he concern himself with fixing it?” said Joan Pratchler, Saskatchewan Deputy Education Shadow Minister. “But here’s the kicker — the law says these children are owed an education and nothing less is acceptable. If the Minister won’t do his job, Scott Moe should fire him right here and right now.

“The Saskatchewan NDP is demanding the Minister release his emergency plan to give every child an education in time for the return of classes after the Christmas break. If not, he should resign in disgrace,” Pratchler added.

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