Questions raised about Nova Scotia pre-primary staffing weeks ahead of launch
HALIFAX — Hundreds of Nova Scotia families have registered for the promised expansion of pre-primary classes for four-year-olds, but there are still no firm numbers of trained staff available just weeks before its scheduled end-of-September startup.
The uncertainty leaves many parents unsure whether spots will be available, with one private industry spokesperson saying she doubts the province can meet its own deadline in many areas.
First announced in April, pre-primary became a major Liberal promise during the spring election campaign: the program is to be introduced across the province over the next four years at a cost of $49.9 million a year.
In mid-July, Education Minister Zach Churchill announced a list of 30 new classrooms that would be added to 20 existing classes at 43 locations across the province. But he warned then staffing would pose a “challenge,” and availability would be contingent on available staff.