P.E.I. school enrollment is declining. Logically, fewer students should need fewer people to teach them.
Instead, P.E.I.’s government has created new teaching positions. This decision will be expensive. The Province already spends 3,000 dollars more, per student, than it did ten years ago. With fewer students and more instructors, spending will increase.
Hiring more teachers only makes sense to improve learning. But evidence suggests that having fewer students per teacher won’t lead to substantially better outcomes. Improving the method and content of existing instruction is better policy.
Government cannot spend money irresponsibly. The Province should set a firm, per-student funding amount and allow the education budget to match enrollment.