November 19, 2024
Statement by MTS President Nathan Martindale in response to today’s Throne Speech.
While Manitoba’s teachers welcome news related to the universal child nutrition program, new school construction, Indigenous language education and work in the areas of antisemitism and Islamphobia, there was little in today’s Speech from the Throne that Manitoba’s teachers haven’t already heard.
Still, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS) remains hopeful that the provincial government will honour its commitment to provide stable, predictable public education funding that meets the increasingly complex needs of students. This commitment was made clear in the Mandate Letter provided by Premier Wab Kinew to Education and Early Childhood Education Minister Nello Altomare a year ago.
Year after year teachers have watched while their classroom resources continued to shrink under the Stefanson and Pallister governments. We know the Kinew government understands the need for public education funding that provides the classroom supports teachers need, and clinical and specialist supports that children increasingly require.
Our 16,600 members are waiting for a concrete plan to stabilize education funding in a way that teachers and students can count on, year after year.
This stability will help ensure the vibrant, supportive academic and social environments our kids need in order to succeed.
We look forward to hearing more in the education funding announcement in February, 2025.