Province announces new resources to help newcomer students
The government of P.E.I. plans to hire 41 new educators to work with newcomer and English as a second language students.
The province said Wednesday that this is a $2.8 million investment and, in an unusual move, is being provided by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
All of the new positions will be introduced at Charlottetown area schools.
“This significant new investment will help all students and teachers, because hiring educators to work with newcomer students means existing teachers will have more time to focus on the needs of all students,” said Education Minister Jordan Brown.
“These new positions will address immediate needs and support the arrival of students throughout the school year with minimal disruption.” The new teaching positions will include: two at Colonol Gray, one at Charlottetown Rural, one at Queen Charlottetown, two at Spring Park, half a position at Startford Elementary and another half at Glen Steward Primary.
Eight mobile English as a second language positions will go to add Functional Language Programs at Birchwood, Stonepark,
Queen Charlotte, Colonel Gray and Charlottetown Rural schools and provide ongoing language support. Twenty education assistant positions will be created to support English as a second language students with high needs.
To help support students transferring into new schools
and cultures, three mobile youth service worker positions are being added.
New related resources will also be provided to new and existing educators.
“Our growing and more diverse population bodes well for the sustainability of our province and our ability to succeed in a global economy,” said
Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald.
“This significant new investment will help newcomer students acquire academic language skills and integrate successfully into our schools and communities, while creating more equitable learning environments for all students.”