N.L. adding more speech therapists to education system for first time in 30 years

For the first time in 30 years, Newfoundland and Labrador is adding more speech-language pathologists (SLP) to its public education system.

Education Minister Bernard Davis made the announcement on Friday afternoon as part of a larger announcement to add 400 educators to the K-12 system.

CBC News first reported on the shortage of SLP jobs in June.

"We understand the concerns that have been raised recently, but that's been something we've been working on," Davis told reporters on Friday.

Five SLP positions remain on the job board, so adding five more means the province is hoping to fill 10 positions. 

"There will be some in St. John's of course. There will be some across the province. Maybe there will be some hybrid and there will be some doing some travelling as well," Davis said.

"[This has] been something that has been asked for for the last number of years." 

Initially, the province told CBC News that 45 SLPs were serving over 200 schools.

According to the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Union, it's been that way for decades.

"Right now, there's positions in Labrador and so on that aren't filled," said union president Trent Langdon. "And because they're often spread out over large geographical areas, it makes it even harder."

And, Langdon said, adding five more positions isn't nearly enough to address the problem — but it's a start.

"Is it perfect? No, but it's certainly moving the needle [to] where it needs to be," he said.

Meanwhile, Davis said the new SLP positions will be posted soon. 

More roles and reduced class sizes

Beyond SLPs, the education system will have a few extra dollars.

The provincial government is spending $20 million, growing to $44 million next year to add 400 "educational resources," a mix of teachers and and learning assistants

There will also be improvements at the beginning of the school year to reduce the class size for grades 1-9 by two.

Langdon, acknowledged that a class size reduction by two may not seem like a lot, but says it's still significant. 

"We're very pleased to see the reduction. There hasn't been a change in class caps for a long time," he said. 

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