MCNEIL'S LIBERALS TO INVEST IN STUDENTS' SUCCESSDate: Monday May 11, 2009
Stephen McNeil, MLA
Liberal Leader
(Halifax, NS) Liberal leader Stephen McNeil told a group of educators,
parents and students that his Liberal government will introduce a School
Grants Program intended to provide local schools with the flexibility to
invest in their own specific requirements.
"Liberals recognize that different schools across the province have
different needs," said McNeil. "Our schools are made up of diverse
student populations - tailoring services and programming at a local
level will improve student success."
"The teachers and principals in our schools are in the best position
to determine what resources their students need," McNeil explained.
"As a province, we must empower our local schools to reach their
potential and provide the best possible education for our students."
McNeil says resources will be made available at the local level by
enabling schools to apply for funding targeted at three areas: classroom
educational assistants; after school reading, writing and arithmetic
support programs; and social supports such as securing the services of
psychologists, behavioural supports and or security supports for the
schools.
Individual schools and Student Advisory Councils will work in
partnership with school boards to apply for the grants.
The first step is to design the program delivery model with the first
grants rolling out in time for the 2010-11 school year. Costs for the
program in year one will be $16 million, increasing to $18 in year two
and being bumped up to $19 million for 2012-13.
"This is really about charting a course for students’ success and
empowering your local school."
-30-
For further information, contact
Glennie Langille
(902) 471-5995
glennie@liberal.ns.ca
