Newfoundland School for the Deaf to close

With no students set to attend the Newfoundland School for the Deaf in St. John's this fall and no new enrolments projected for the next five years, the provincial government announced Monday it is closing the school.

"It has served generations of deaf and hard of hearing students in our province, but the time has come for change," Education Minister Darin King said in a news release Monday about the school, which opened in 1964.

He blamed a number of changes in medicine and society.

"We have seen a major shift in the last decade with new cochlear implant technology, and in parental choices to have children remain at home with the necessary supports provided in school. This shift is clearly reflected in enrolment at the school. Given these factors, maintaining an empty school is not justifiable," King said.

All 199 students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the province are currently in the public school system.

Twelve of these students receive teaching services in their schools through teachers employed with the Newfoundland School for the Deaf.

"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."

King said the teachers working with the Newfoundland School for the Deaf will now be transferred to Eastern School District.

The Education Department said some staff at the school will lose their jobs.

"Laying off employees is not something we take lightly. The reality is that we cannot continue to operate a school with no students," King said.