Early childhood educators didn't get the raise they were expecting in Finance Minister Wes Sheridan's provincial budget Friday.
But they did get $2.5 million of new money for early childhood education and a promise that wage hikes would be coming some time down the road.
"Part of the commitment here, and we've heard loud and clear from the sector, is that wage enhancements would probably be one of the biggest priorities with respect to moving forward," said Education Minister Doug Currie.
"Wage enhancements will be part and parcel of the early learning action plan."
That plan will be unveiled next week, Currie said, and is expected to address training needs, salaries and new programming initiatives.
As for the $2.5 million, the teachers who showed up at Province House to hear the budget say they fear most of it won't filter down to them.
Currie said his government is committed to a long-term strategy for early childhood learning, which will undergo a major change this year when kindergartens, currently run out of early childhood education centres, are absorbed into the school system.
via www.cbc.ca
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