| Posted: 40 minutes ago | Updated: 40 minutes ago | 4 Min Read
After 50 years of decline, the province has had its second year in a row of increased enrolment in K-12. “The current difficulties in teacher recruitment and retention have long been looming. The issues cannot be a surprise to anyone. It is an ongoing struggle in many parts of the province, particularly in rural and remote communities but not limited to these areas. Substitute teacher shortages, and vacant positions in some schools, are not unusual in recent years.
In terms of provincial funds, however, those amounts are down about $8.7 million this year. Last year, about $75 million was budgeted, while this year’s estimate is about $66.7 million. Last year, the province budgeted $11.6 million for public libraries in the form of an annual operating grant. This year, there was a slight increase of $351,200, bringing library funding up to almost $12 million this year.