On Campus

N.B. gov’t reverses cuts to education program funding

Minister restores $2.9m, saves jobs of hundreds of library and teaching staff

The New Brunswick government is reversing a $2.9 million cut to school districts and will reinstate services to school libraries and intervention programs.

Education Minister Roland Hache says the money will come from the $5 million Innovative Learning Fund – a program heralded by former minister Kelly Lamrock to provide grants for specialized education projects.

Hache says the fund will get $1 million, and projects already announced will be honoured.

The initial cuts to the school districts meant the loss of about 300 library assistants, teachers assistants, and behavioural intervention workers, while close to 300 more would have seen their hours reduced.

Sandy Harding of the Canadian Union of Public Employees says she’s working with government to ensure all the job cuts will be reversed.

Brent Shaw, president of the New Brunswick Teachers Association, says having a new minister in the job made the difference in getting the funding issue resolved.

– The Canadian Press

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.