P.E.I. faces 'significant challenge' in distribution of students

P.E.I.'s education minister hopes the problem of schools that are under-utilized or overcrowded will be addressed this year.

Doug Currie said the department will take on the issue of school zoning, now that the English Language School Boardhas been dissolved.

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"We're ID'ing those schools, those areas, whether it be rural or whether it be urban, we've got some significant challenges in the distribution of students across Prince Edward Island," he told CBC News: Compass host Bruce Rainnie Tuesday night.

"So we're doing some preliminary work to really identify good data and good information, what those problems are and, from there, will be a more extensive process, which will be made public, hopefully by the end of the month."

School plan

Currie also said the new Education Act implemented at the end of August will allow each school to come up with a public plan focusing on achievement, the social and emotional well-being of the students, and strengthening public confidence in the community.

The department will address and work with schools identified as underperforming, he said.

With no elected school board officials, Currie said parents concerned about their child's progress can contact the school principals or the appointed trustees under the new Education Act.

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