Teachers working harder but getting less support
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This article was published 19/02/2021 (831 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Making sure our kids get the best education possible should always be a top priority. This has never been more important than this year, as students continue to face unprecedented challenges,owing to COVID-19.
As the pandemic continues, teachers and educators continue to work harder than ever to offer both virtual and in-person learning to ensure kids get a good education while staying safe. To every teacher, educator, maintenance worker and school staff member, I want to say thank you for your invaluable and tireless work.
This February, schools are once again celebrating I Love to Read month, albeit in a different format. Throughout the month I’ve had the opportunity to join classrooms in virtual settings to share in the love of all things reading and writing.
It’s always a pleasure to celebrate literacy by reading some of my favourite books to students, while answering their questions about my work as an MLA. Although the meetings are now virtual, it’s still been a great experience to connect with educators and students across our community.
One common theme I’ve heard while joining in virtual readings this month is that teachers continue to work harder than ever to give their students the best education possible, but the provincial government isn’t matching their commitment. We recently learned that, for the fifth year in a row, the PC government’s funding for school divisions has fallen below inflation and enrolment rates. In other words, more cuts to education.
We know that now is a time where students and educators need more supports, yet this government continues to ask teachers to do more with less. Meanwhile, the PC government will soon release details of an education review from its high-priced consultants — one that could try to justify disruptive changes and cuts to our education system at a time when educators are already overwhelmed.
Our NDP team has continued to call on the government to reverse their cutbacks and invest in what matters most — hiring more teachers, capping class sizes, and investing in mental health supports and technology to help kids learn during this global pandemic.
Our kids’ education should always take priority, and the government must act now to make that a reality.
If you’d like to share your vision for a better education system, I can be reached at 204-654-1857 or by email at matt.wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca
Matt Wiebe
Concordia constituency report
Matt Wiebe is the NDP MLA for Concordia.