NDP Leader Ryan Meili and P.A. Northcote MLA Nicole Rancourt are set to hear from residents about education Monday in Prince Albert. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Talking Education

Opposition leader looks for input on education

Oct 28, 2019 | 2:32 PM

Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili is in Prince Albert looking to hear from people about education.

The provincial opposition leader, along with the party’s education critic Carla Beck, are set to host a town hall Monday evening at the Coronet Hotel.

Meili, who will also be joined by P.A. Northcote MLA Nicole Rancourt, said in meeting with the public they are hoping to get a broad range of feedback.

“To hear people’s concerns about education, but also to hear what their plans are, what their ideas are for how we could do a better job,” he said.

Along with the public town hall event, Meili plans to meet with representatives from both the public and Catholic school boards and those representing education staff and teachers.

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The opposition leader has held similar events around the province, most recently in Moose Jaw. Meili said he has heard concerns about area specific issues, but added they are problems that transcend specific areas.

“There are some pretty common themes, overcrowded classrooms being a big one,” he said.

The issue of classroom size has been front and centre recently as the province has been in negotiations with teachers. The two sides have not been able to agree on the issue, with teachers calling for class sizes to be bargained for and the government instead offering to put together a committee made up of administrators, teachers and school trustees to deal with the issue.

Don Hoium, Government Trustee Bargaining Chair, said in a media release the government’s most recent offer to talk about classroom issues is a step in the right direction.

“We feel that teachers voices have been heard and a fair offer extended,” he said.

When it comes to bargaining class sizes, Meili declined to say if class size should be in the next collective agreement. When it comes to the government’s proposal to have a committee to deal with the issue, he said this move would likely not do much to deal with the concerns people have.

“We’ve got a government that’s done nothing to address that [class size] for years now,” he said.

The Town Hall at the Coronet Hotel begins at 7 p.m. tonight.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn