News briefs
NOTRE DAME EXPANSION A GO
It came straight from the throne – The Honourable Philip Lee announced that the NDP was going to officially pursue the expansion of Red River College’s Notre Dame Campus from the throne speech which opened the 40th session of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
Manitoba’s Lieutenant-Governor said that “a new skilled trades and technology centre will be built at Red River College for high demand trades like carpentry, electrical and plumbing.”
The announcement in the throne speech was meant to showcase one way the provincial government plans to “modernize educational facilities.” The expansion is the latest in a string of additions at both the Notre Dame and Exchange District Campuses.
NDP LIMIT K-3 CLASS SIZES
Children heading to school will quickly learn to count to 20 – The provincial government announced that it plans implement its promised kindergarten to grade three class limit to 20 students.
A committee will be formed to manage the new cap. The move to create more classroom space is projected to cost the province $85 million. Another $20 million will be needed to hire new teachers. No word yet on what will happen in situations where 21 students are already enrolled in a class. |
RESIDENTIAL NIGHTMARE
Residential schools affected the lives of over 150,000 Aboriginals, who were taken away from their families, communities and culture in an attempt to force assimilation.
While not directly involved, University of Manitoba president David Barnard apologized on the university’s behalf for educating those who would eventually went off to teach at, and run the residential schools. The apology took place at a Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 27.
The University of Manitoba is the first school to apologize for injustices that took place at residential schools.
