Foundation to Direct Funds to Student Teachers

A new foundation will ensure trust funds from the former Nova Scotia Teachers College continue to benefit student teachers.

The Nova Scotia Teachers College Foundation Act, tabled in the House of Assembly today, creates a foundation to review eight separate trust funds established for scholarships, bursaries and awards for students of the college. Now that the college is closed, the funds will be available through scholarships, bursaries and awards to student teachers in university programs. A board of governors will manage the foundation.

Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison said the foundation will consider the wishes of benefactors or their families in determining how the trusts are used. Further, if the benefactor or benefactor's family expressed specific conditions -- such as using the scholarship for students from a particular part of the province -- the foundation will take these wishes into account.

"These funds were donated to benefit student teachers, and the foundation will respect those wishes," said Mr. Harrison.

The eight trust funds are valued at more than $60,000. Currently, the funds are protected at the Department of Finance.