1997-98 Statistical Summary Released

More education statistics are available than ever before in print and on the Web. Statistics include information on students, schools, class sizes, French programs, teachers, school boards and funding.

The 1997-98 Statistical Summary and the highlights brochure are being distributed to all school boards, junior high and high schools and libraries. As well, for the first time, the full summary is available on the Department of Education and Culture's website at http://stats.ednet.ns.ca . It can also be purchased through the Nova Scotia Government Bookstore, 1700 Granville St., Halifax, 902-424-7580 or toll-free within Nova Scotia at 1-800-526-6575.

Among the highlights, provincial graduation rates continue to rise, reaching 78.4 per cent for the 1996-97 school year. This marks the highest rate ever -- an increase of almost four percentage points over the previous year and up by almost 17 percentage points since 1985-86.

The number of teachers rose slightly for the second year, to 9,729. Total student enrolments declined, down by about one per cent in 1997-98 from the previous year. For the first time in eight years, the average number of students in each class has fallen, to 23.5. The number of large classes -- those with more than 30 students -- has dropped by more than 14 per cent since 1996-97.

In program areas, more students continue to enrol in French immersion programs -- up by about 525 students in 1997-98 compared with the previous year.

Per student spending is also up, to $4,505 from about $4,424. These statistics follow the first funding increase to school boards in 1997-98. They do not take into account the $80 million added to school board budgets for 1998-99.

AU CHEF DES NOUVELLES: Ce communique est egalement disponible en francais; appeler 902-434-4492 ou c. elec. [email protected] .