(February 23, 2022) – Barry Petten, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Education and MHA for Conception Bay South, says it’s time for the Liberal government to look ahead and present a plan to ensure two years of pandemic disruptions in our education system do not have long-term effects for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Petten was reacting to a detailed plan announced by the Province of Ontario which includes tutoring access for kids, reading intervention programs, mental health supports and a continued online learning option.

“The Furey Government has been slow to respond to the needs of the K-12 education system, as witnessed by the announcement to hire six additional online teachers on January 26 some two years after COVID-19 arrived. I continue to hear from parents and families who have not been able to access education because of isolation requirements or being immunocompromised,” said Petten.

“Various early research studies have all illustrated the impact on the social, emotional and cognitive development of children from interrupted education over the past two years. We need to be proactive, not reactive by providing the supports and tools for our school system to address learning recovery. We need action now – our children’s future depends on it.”

Petten and the PC Official Opposition Caucus have been steadfast since the pandemic began of the need for an online option for education, and appropriate supports for families in school. Now, having reviewed ATIPP documents obtained from the Department, we learn in Grades 7-12, course topics were skipped, while other “curriculum was covered in a very superficial way.”

Meanwhile, in Grades K-6, significant issues were found in foundational writing, reading development was impacted, and math topics were omitted entirely.

“One can only imagine the impact on students going forward,” said Petten.

“I urge the minister to consult quickly and released a plan to address the matters raised by his own officials.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca