Don't shut N.L. deaf school: graduate

A graduate of the Newfoundland School for the Deaf is speaking out against the provincial government's decision to close it.

Jennifer Sooley graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's after finishing at the school for the deaf.

"If I hadn't gone to school at Newfoundland School for the Deaf, maybe I wouldn't have gone to Memorial, maybe I wouldn't have been involved in so many different things," said Sooley. "The teachers [at the school for the deaf] were wonderful. I was included in so many different events."

Monday, Education Minister Darin King announced the province will close the school. He said all 199 deaf or hard of hearing students in Newfoundland and Labrador are enrolled in the public school system.

Sooley, who spent two years as a student in the public system before going to the school for the deaf, said she doesn't believe mainstream schools work for all deaf students.

"It was stressful [when I was in a public school]. It was really. It wasn't healthy," said Sooley.

CBC news spoke with some parents of deaf children.

They said the school for the deaf, which opened in 1964, was a necessary institution.

Monday King said deaf and hard of hearing students will continue to get all the services they need.

"The school itself may be closed, however this does not mean a reduction in services for deaf and hard of hearing students in our province," King said. "I want to assure deaf and hard of hearing students currently in our school system, and any student that may require it in the future, that we will continue to provide all the necessary services and supports to them in the school system."