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Budget cuts strain teachers, students
by Jeff Colbourne
NNSL (Feb 16/98) - Baffin Central MLA Tommy Enuaraq is worried about morale among
Pangnirtung teachers.
In recent weeks Enuaraq has made pleas to Education Minister Charles Dent
to help out the schools by providing more funding for teachers.
Enuaraq pointed out to three years of declining support for
education programs in the community, putting extra pressure on teachers.
The contract signed between the GNWT and teachers has also put an
strained educators, he added.
"Total income has gone down, living costs have gone up. For
example, housing costs have increased from 15 per cent to over 50 per cent
in some cases," said Enuaraq.
Some teachers, he said, have told him that it would be better to go
on welfare than teach for a living.
"The situation is not acceptable," said Enuaraq.
Enuaraq asked Dent if to consider an income-assistance program for
teachers or an increase in pay to help them cope with the high cost of
living in most remote communities.
Dent, however, said he finds it difficult to think of a situation
where a teacher might need income support and pointed out that the GNWT's
budget is only so big. |