No provincial money for all-day kindergarten this year

Alberta school councils have been toldthere will not be any money inthis spring's budgetto pay for all-day kindergarten.

Education Minister Jeff Johnson delivered that message to school councils in a conference call this week saying the lack of funding is due to the province's bleak financial position.

"This province for years has been up and down based on oil revenues and that we're still going down that road when it comes to our children's education, I think is pretty disappointing," said Larry Leach from the Association for Responsive Trusteeship in Calgary Schools.

The vice-chair of the Calgary Board of Education said the board will continue to pay forthe selectall-day kindergarten classes which it currently provides through the existing budget.

"Full-day kindergarten is an effective learning strategy for some children," said Lynn Ferguson.

The education minister also indicated that construction on 50 new schools will be delayed by at least one year.

The Alberta Liberal Party iscalling on the Tory government to raise taxes so it can continue to fundkey projects.