More funding, innovation in the future, hopes author of N.L. education report

More funding for special needs students, and increased innovation are the big hopes for the future of schools in Newfoundland and Labrador, according to one of the authors of a report on the state of the province's education system.

"We're not going to be in an austerity budget forever, this comes and goes. We've all lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for a while. And what's happening today, what we're going through today, that will change," said Kirk Anderson, the dean of the Faculty of Education at Memorial University.

Better Together, a report released Wednesday after province-wide consultations, highlighted the challenges ahead for the education sector, with the lack of trained personnel to deal with special needs students a chief concern.

• Lack of special needs education resources means 'serious stress,' says panel's report

"There are a lot of questions and concerns about the adequacy of the supports that do exist," said Anderson, adding there's a need for bigger budgets as opposed to the current, "stringent" model.

"Are we going to go forward on the current funding line, or are we going to grow into something better?"

Time to innovate

Anderson also said there should be more emphasis on community decision-making and representation, rather than the school district dictating entirely from above, and that this could foster more ingenuity.

"It seems like we're going to a one-size-fits-all model, which is not particularly a good idea for encouraging innovation," Anderson told CBC Radio's Central Morning Show.

Are we going to grow into something better?- Kirk Anderson

Anderson pointed to areas such as Harbour Breton, a community with strong engagement in its school system, as well as MUN's partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government on a specialized bachelor of education program, as models for future innovation.

Despite the report's many recommendations, Anderson remained optimistic about the education that children in Newfoundland and Labrador are currently receiving. 

"We should have faith in our school system. The public by and large sees our system as high functioning, a valuable contribution to society."