THE BATTLEFORDS — The Government of Saskatchewan is again drawing the ire of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) as a crop of newly 'misleading' billboards are popping up in the province, just months after the first round of billboards gained negative attention this summer.
The billboards push back on STF's claims that the government isn't properly supporting education, detailing the government's funding for the system — with the STF saying that they're again frustrated with the government's approach of paying for billboards while the government underfunds education.
"I am not surprised that they are continuing with the billboards. But it is disappointing when we could be working together to find solutions to the challenges that we're experiencing in our classroom," Samantha Becotte, President of the STF told SASKTODAY.ca in a phone interview.
"It almost seems as though they're attempting to celebrate the underfunding of education by misleading the public about the realities that we're experiencing in classrooms as teachers and students ... I think it is a complete misrepresentation of both the realities that we're experiencing in our schools."
At least two billboards have shown up in the Battlefords, one in Estevan, and reportedly in Regina and Saskatoon.
One billboard notes that the provincial government has invested $2.4 billion since 2008 in infrastructure — resulting in 60 new schools and 30 renovations. Another notes that the government has invested $2.1 billion this school year, with an $89 million increase from last year, and a $47 million increase for enrolment and class complexity.
"Those are big numbers. And if I was thinking about $2.1 billion for education, and only looking at those billboards themselves, it does look good. But when you take into consideration the decades of underfunding, the significant enrolment growth that we've experienced, the rising costs from inflation ... you start to see through [those numbers] and start to see them for what they are"
And Becotte says that because classes are underfunded, fighting long waitlists for specialists, and struggling with inflation, the government's claims are frustrating.
She went on to note that a Fraser Institute report found Saskatchewan was the second worst among all the provinces for increases in funding per student.
"In the end, this is the government's responsibility to ensure that we have a high-quality public education system that is accessible to all students across our province. And we'll continue to keep them accountable to that responsibility."
But as a conciliation board moves forward with meetings on Dec, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12, Becotte is hoping that the government will step up to the table.
"Well, we will continue to approach the bargaining process in good faith," Becotte said.
"We really want what is best for kids. So despite what the government's strategy is, in terms of bargaining, or their their public advocacy, I think for the most part, the public is seeing through it as well ... and it's creating frustration in all areas.
"But as I said, in terms of conciliation, we are really hopeful that we can start to find meaningful solutions that will improve the experiences of students in our classrooms.
An email statement from Minister Cockrill's office, however, says the government is proud of its record on education.
The current public information campaign, both digitally and in-person as described running in the province during the summer and into November, has cost $145,821 so far, though is not yet finalized.
"Our investments in school infrastructure means that there are more classrooms, playgrounds, libraries, gymnasiums, and computer labs for our students," the statement read, regarding the $2.4 billion dollars from the government since 2008.
"In addition to our record on capital investments, our government stands behind our record on school operating funding. We know that students can't reach their full potential without the support of our hardworking and dedicated teachers and staff within our schools," the government said, noting that since 2007 school operating funding has increased by $655 million.
They also noted the province is seeing rapid population growth and has provided $40 million extra dollars in the education budget to address those challenges.
And while the STF feels the government is not doing enough to fund education and hopes to approach the bargaining in good faith, the government said in their statement that the STF has 'walked away.'
"Regarding bargaining, our proposed offer of seven per cent over three years is a fair offer that recognizes the important work of Saskatchewan teachers ... the STF has unfortunately walked away from the bargaining table. The Government-Trustee Bargaining Committee has been at the table this whole time, willing to get a deal done.
"We urge the STF to return to the table to get a deal done for the hardworking teachers that they represent.
This story has been updated to correct the dollar amount attributed to the billboard.
