Saskatoon Public Schools is set to lay off about 80 temporary educational assistants, citing a lack of expected federal funding from the Jordan’s Principle program. This initiative, intended to ensure Indigenous children receive essential health, social, and educational services, has typically provided funds for educational assistants in the district. However, this year, the funding has not been received, despite a previous allocation of $15 million last year.
The school division had relied on Jordan’s Principle since 2018-19 to hire additional support staff for Indigenous students, but without the necessary funding since April, the district can no longer maintain these positions. The layoffs will affect educational support for vulnerable students, leaving gaps in services for children with learning or physical needs.
While other Saskatchewan school divisions, including Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Regina Public Schools, have received Jordan’s Principle funding or have contingency plans, Saskatoon Public Schools has been managing with a surplus from previous years. However, that surplus will be exhausted by the end of the school year.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education expressed disappointment over the federal funding cuts, while the federal government clarified that Jordan’s Principle is not intended to replace provincial responsibilities for public education services. Critics, including Saskatchewan NDP education critic Matt Love, are urging both the provincial and federal governments to address the funding shortfall to support students with intensive needs.
