The New Democrat Official Opposition slammed Education Minister Shirley Bond for her irresponsible changes to the school district funding formula in Question Period today.

“Despite promises of stable and predictable funding, the Education Minister’s sudden decision to cut funding has launched school boards into chaos,” said NDP Leader Carole James. “Her unilateral decision to change the funding formula in the middle of the school year is irresponsible and unacceptable. And ultimately students will pay the price.”

An Oct. 18 email from the Ministry of Education sent school boards scrambling to fix sudden shortfalls in their budgets, the product of months of public consultation and planning. School boards have expressed their frustration and anger with the Minister’s abrupt change in numerous letters to the Ministry and the New Democrat Opposition, protesting the change.

“I was a school trustee, I know the challenges school boards face,” said James. “The Minister was once a school trustee as well - she can’t pretend she doesn’t know what the impacts of her cuts will be.”

NDP Education critic David Cubberley added that the funding change is about balancing the Ministry’s budget and saving the Minister’s performance bonus – not student achievement.

“When will the Minister of Education put students ahead of her financial bonus, and put an end to this greedy money grab?” asked Cubberley.