A report prepared by a government capital planning branch in June — and recently obtained by the Official Opposition through a freedom of information request — found 13 schools in the province were in “critical” condition and another 132 schools were in “poor” condition.
“We have a Sask. Party government that has failed to maintain our existing schools and build critically needed new schools for 18 years and counting,” said Matt Love, Saskatchewan NDP Education Shadow Minister. “We hear from parents across the province about neglected buildings and inappropriate learning spaces for a growing student population.
“This is unacceptable. Saskatchewan students deserve the very best — they literally are our future.”
The report deems a school in critical shape when the total cost of needed repairs exceeds 30 per cent of the building’s replacement cost. The list includes 13 schools that meet this terrible benchmark.
“This isn’t right — students deserve schools that are properly maintained so they can get the education they deserve,” said Noor Burki, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Immigration. “So many children, including my own, are excited to be back at school and they deserve a government that’s focused on supporting them in every way possible.”
“I talk to people coming to Canada who are excited about the opportunity here and they expect our schools to be in the best condition — but that’s not what they find. People will not want to make Saskatchewan their home for the future if we don’t have good schools and good opportunities for our kids.”
According to the document, schools built using the P3 model are not subject to a facility assessment.
The report was particularly damning when it comes to the neglect of Francophone schools. École Monseigneur de Laval - Pavillon élémentaire is listed in critical condition and six others were identified as being in poor shape.
“That’s half the Francophone schools in Saskatchewan that are in bad shape, and this Sask. Party couldn’t be bothered to care,” said Jacqueline Roy, Saskatchewan NDP Francophone Affairs Shadow Minister.
“Francophone education is a constitutional right and a cornerstone of Saskatchewan’s cultural diversity. But students can’t learn and teachers can’t teach our language and culture effectively under the current conditions.”
Roy added: “We need a government focused on students, on supporting teachers, on investing in classrooms and investing in maintaining our schools. We need a government focused on a future where every child gets the chance to succeed with a quality public education.”
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