Dexter's Education Cuts Closing School Libraries
Liberal education critic Karen Casey says the Dexter government’s decision to attack education funding is closing school libraries in the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board.Casey says the board has tried to avoid cuts to staff and services, but the continued cuts by the Dexter government have forced their hand.
“This government is determined to balance the province’s books on the backs of our students,” says Casey. “Their decisions are taking educational resources out of our schools – now they are even robbing students of their libraries.”
Casey says the closure of libraries in the CCRSB is in addition to past cuts.
“By eliminating Reading Recovery and school libraries the Dexter government’s decisions are going to have an irreversible impact on literacy levels in this province,” says Casey. “The Dexter government can say whatever it likes, but it is clear that improving literacy is not a priority for this government.”
Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says eliminating funding for libraries while increasing the amount spent on administration at the education department is a clear indication the government has the wrong priorities.
“It is impossible for this government to justify slashing funding for classrooms and libraries while they spend more on administration and senior management at the departmenta level,” says McNeil. “This government needs to start investing in students instead of growing the bureaucracy.”
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