NAPE welcomes earlier allocation of student assistant hours

'Student assistants are recognized as an integral part of our children’s education.' - Carol Furlong

St. John’s (10 June 2007) - The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) has welcomed changes announced by the province regarding the recall of student assistants.

NAPE president Carol Furlong says student assistants have been asking for years to have the allocation method changed.

The old method, which had been in place since student assistants became part of the education system, provided no security for the assistants or students with special needs.

In the past, the assistants and those with special needs were not given any notification of their allocation of hours for the upcoming school year. This created tremendous anxiety for the students and the student assistants.

NAPE met with the minister and officials within the department of education and provided recommendations on how to resolve this long-standing issue.

“This is a giant step forward for student assistants and students with special needs,” says Furlong. “It provides a level of security and sends a message that student assistants are recognized as an integral part of our children’s education.”

Furlong indicated she is very pleased the Minister took NAPE’s concerns seriously and addressed the issue head on. NUPGE

More information:

• NAPE says cutback in student assistant hours is alarming
• Children with special needs still waiting for support