Meili accuses education minister of not communicating with school divisions on funding options

Ever since the Saskatchewan Party government announced its back-to-school plan, there has been plenty of concern expressed by teachers and parents.

Many say the plan doesn’t do enough to address classroom safety while we are still in a pandemic.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili says Education Minister Gord Wyant is passing the buck onto the school divisions when it comes to making difficult decisions on public health matters without the resources to do so and with no added funding or support.

But, earlier this week Wyant told Gormley there is money that was set aside in the provincial budget to help with those issues. Wyant also said no one has asked for it.

“In the provincial budget, there’s a $200-million contingency fund which is available to ensure that we protect kids going back to school,” Wyant said. “So there will be money available from the provincial budget should school divisions ask for it — and I might point out to all those critics that no school divisions have asked for additional funding at this point in time.”

Meili takes issue with the comment about no school divisions applying for the funding because he says the divisions never received any information that this is money available to them.

“(Wyant) gave the impression that somehow these dollars were sitting there waiting for school boards to apply and they just don’t want the money,” Meili said.

Meili also said funding for schools was already insufficient before COVID-19 hit and now the lack of a serious plan to deal with the pandemic and keep kids safe is a failure on the part of the Sask. Party.

“It’s time for Gord Wyant to stop trying to gaslight people and pretend they’ve provided resources that just aren’t there,” Meili said. “It’s time for him to stop passing the buck to school divisions and start taking responsibility for his own actions and find a real plan to get kids back to school safely this September.”

Wyant also told Gormley school divisions saved money when the lockdowns began in March and they can access that for additional resources.

“School divisions saved $40 million when in-class learning was suspended, so they have $40 million collectively across all the school divisions to redeploy those funds and a number of those school divisions are using some of those funds to get (personal protective equipment),” Wyant said.

“I know a number of school divisions that have bought masks and shields for their teachers.”

Meili says the government has had months to work on a return-to-school plan and first offered a failed plan in July and then another plan that was completely empty nearly two weeks ago. He says if you have parents or teachers who don’t feel that their kids are ready to start, that is completely on the Sask. Party for failing to do its job.

Meili has a son who will be entering Grade 4 in September. At this point, his family’s plan is for the boy to go back to school despite Meili’s sense that the back-to-school plan isn’t adequate. He says they are going to keep an eye on the numbers and how the situation keeps unfolding.

“But like any parents, we’re frustrated that the school divisions are not getting more support and more clear direction. We feel like, as a family doctor and a pediatrician, we can sort of weigh the evidence and make the best plan for Abe,” said Meili.

“But it’s certainly not something we think should be left up to schools, school divisions and each set of parents. It really should be the government that’s setting those standards.”