Opposition accuses Sask. government of cutting teachers despite growing enrolment

The Opposition says the government iscutting back on teachers, at the same time asthousands more students are enrolled inSaskatchewan classrooms.

"It's really reaching a critical level," said Patrick Maze, president of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF).

He said his organization has 181 fewer members than last year.

"The frustrating thing is that the previous minister gave us his word that the cuts to education would not be experienced in the classroom," Maze said.

"That's just not what we're finding."

Education critic Carla Beck raised the issue of fewer teachers for more students in Question Period on Monday.

"There's no way that that's not impacting learning on the front line," Beck said. "Andof course we're hearing that from teachers, we're hearing that from students, we're hearing that from parents right across the province."

Education Minister Bronwyn Eyresays the STF is including administrative positions in their numbers.

"So superintendents and assistant deputy positions, that sort of thing," Eyre said.

But she acknowledges that the province is growing, with more students in school.

"It comes with challenges to be sure," Eyretold reporters. "But on the other hand we've never had more support positionsacross the [Education]sector ever in this province than we have right now."

Maze said the only administrative positions included in the STFnumbers would be principals and vice-principals.

"Ifyou cut an administrator position, that makes more work for teachers because then they're responsible for completing some of the administrative duties," Maze said.

"Somebody has to do those duties."

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