The South Shore will fully implement government’s pre-primary program this fall.
Education Minister Zach Churchill says the final two schools, Bridgewater Elementary and Bluenose Academy in Lunenburg will be among the 56 new schools this September.
“We’re anticipating that will mean over 80 classes. But that will, of course, depend on enrolment. We’re expecting to have close to 1,500 kids enrol in these new classes in pre-primary.”
Spokesperson for the South Shore Regional Centre for Education Angelina McConnell says the Centre is good to go in Bridgewater, but because of limited space, a plan to implement the program at Bluenose Academy will be announced in the coming weeks.
Churchill says the feedback about the first group of children who have now entered primary is very positive.
“We’re hearing from primary teachers that those students are exhibiting better self-regulation with behaviour, better social/emotional abilities and better academic abilities.”
Churchill says government will invest about $10.2 million this year to expand the program, bringing the total annual investment to $34.2 million.
Reported by: Ed Halverson with files from Gary Nickerson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
