Budget Backgrounder: Investing in Children, Classrooms

For the third year, the Nova Scotia government is increasing its investment in public education -- to improve learning in the classroom and to respond to the pressing need for new schools.

The commitments, highlighted today by Finance Minister Don Downe as part of the provincial budget, include changes in how school board funding is shared. The changes will help small rural schools offer the same quality programming as their larger urban counterparts.

Public education funding will increase by $38.8 million in 1999 2000. The province will also cover the school board payments into the teachers' early-retirement program. In addition, there is $13.4 million to support school construction and $20.4 million dedicated for renovations to existing schools. This funding builds on the $82 million, or 12 per cent increase, of last year.

"Even with belt-tightening across government this year, we have again made children and their education a high priority," Mr. Downe said. "Our investment will protect the current quality of education, while allowing for some growth in priority areas within classrooms."

Priority areas include:

• $4.5 million to begin delivering 6,000 computers to 181 junior high and high schools by June 2000
• $2 million for textbooks, learning resources, and professional development for teachers to support new mathematics, language arts, science and entrepreneurship courses across the curriculum
• $2.6 million (cost-shared between government and school boards) to reduce class sizes
• $2 million to enhance programs and services for students with special needs
• $1.5 million to support student success and a safe, positive learning environment in junior high

About 550 more students will have access to French immersion in 1999 2000. New high school courses including film and video production, agriculture/agri-food, design, Gaelic cultural studies, and electrotechnologies will be supported. Government will also continue to promote violence-free schools, working with school boards on programs such as the League of Peaceful Schools, peer mediation, anger management, and conflict resolution.

School board funding changes this year in an effort to build equity for small rural schools. For the first time, a portion of school board funding will be tied to actual program costs, not based on student enrolments. This will help ensure small schools have a fair share of teachers, textbooks, and other learning resources.

Funding for school boards with severely declining enrolments is also protected, helping those boards adjust to sharp enrolment declines while protecting classroom programs for students.

The province continues to build schools. There are 55 committed school construction projects over the next five years. This year, nine schools are under construction, and construction on 26 more will begin.

Mr. Downe acknowledged that the work in education is far from over. "Our commitment to education is long-term. As the economy continues its strong performance and more dollars become available, we will increase our investment in education and training."