Teachers, parents hold rally in Saskatoon against education cuts

School divisions across Saskatchewan are having to make some tough decisions before the next school year as government funding continues to fall short.

On Wednesday, the NDP joined parents, teachers and school support workers in a rally outside the Saskatoon Public School Division office.

The school division’s board axed over 60 positions to cover an $8 million budget shortfall heading into the 2021-22 school year, something NDP Ryan Meili called a pattern with the Saskatchewan Party Government.

“Their approach to education is what its been for years now, cuts, cuts, and more cuts. Exactly the wrong approach,” Meili told the crowd.

“We know you folks, who are working alongside students, working in our schools, have been dealing with more challenges in recent years. There’s more kids in our classrooms. They’re more crowded and complex.”

The Ministry of Education said funding increased this year to nearly $2 billion. It noted the increase “fully funds the additional costs” of the collective agreement.

However, the increase fails to take into consideration other inflationary pressures according to the union representing school support workers, whose positions were impacted by the board’s cuts.

“There is more than just wages. There’s electrical bills, the insurance and everything else that goes with it,” said Judy Henley with CUPE 8843.

“We’re encouraging people to migrate here, but we’re not encouraging to give them a proper education so they can move forward,” pointing to the English as Additional Language (EAL) positions that were cut.

Henley says it’s the vulnerable students who are suffering the most.

Saskatoon Public Schools isn’t alone. The NDP released a list of other divisions facing a budget shortfall.

• Regina Public – $3,500,000
• Regina Catholic -$1,400,000 (after $1,000,000 slashed to student transportation)
• South East Cornerstone – $4,600,000
• Saskatchewan Rivers – $2,000,000

With files from 650 CKOM’s Keenan Sorokan