#IHeartEdu: Rally against school cuts planned at Confederation Building
NLFSC president says premier and education minister dodging request for meetings on proposed cuts
The N.L. Federation of School Councils is hard at work trying to generate buzz for a protest at Confederation Building set for Wednesday, May 25.
The protest, dubbed I Heart Education, is just the latest demonstration being organized to try and force government to give up on planned cuts to the province's education system.
- Clarenville parents protest cuts to schools and education
- Protests at King's Cove and Avalon schools before morning bell
- 19 teachers laid off, 300 displaced as schools crunch budget numbers
NLFSC President Peter Whittle said after numerous requests to meet with the Premier Dwight Ball and Education Minister Dale Kirby, they can't seem to get anywhere.
That's why he hopes to see hundreds, if not thousands, of people come out and send the message that planned cuts to education are unacceptable.
"We want to see aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents, teachers — anyone who believes that the education system in this province is really going to take a significant hit as a result of this budget," he said.
"We really believe that the only way to change the mind of government is to show them that people are really opposed."
To get the word out, the federation is doing a social media blitz, including creating a Facebook page and launching the Twitter hashtag, #IHeartEdu.
In the days leading up to the May 25 event, Whittle says they hope to build momentum by encouraging smaller rallies at schools throughout the province and by going to the House of Assembly during question period.
"Giving up is certainly not an option, and we believe that people will listen to us if he keep going. That's why we are asking schools next Thursday to get engaged as well and hold rallies as well, like the silent rallies we've seen so far," he said.
"We have to put pressure on those Liberal MHAs, and the only way we can see to do that is to put people in the streets — and that's what this government has forced us to do because they're not listening to other approaches."
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