Yesterday, September 5th, I tabled a piece of legislation calling on the provincial government provide free school supplies to all students in Nova Scotia. More and more I hear parents sharing stories of extensive school supplies lists from teachers desperately trying to bring in enough resources to share with kids who’s parents simply can’t afford to cover the costs of the basic supplies needed for an education.
Bill No. 466 The School Supplies for Students Act was originally introduced by my colleague Derek Mombourquette, the MLA fort Sydney-Membertou in 2022. Like far too many important bills, it sat on the order papers because the Houston government refused to take action. This government just doesn’t want to provide free school supplies for our kids.
Two years later when Nova Scotians are struggling even more with the cost of living, we hope that the government will act on this bill and do the right thing for families and teachers.
The affordability crisis has gotten worse. So, I was pleased to reintroduce this bill in hopes that this government might start to show come compassion for the parents, kids, families that are struggling day in and day out with no help.
So I, once again—with very little hope but fingers crossed—call on the government to do the right thing. If they won’t help in any other way, the least they can do is help our kids. For more information contact my office to stay up to date with how I am working for Fairview—Clayton Park subscribe to my monthly email newsletter.
Background: The benefits of free school supplies
- Relieves Financial Burden on Families in the Affordability Crisis – School supplies are a significant expense, especially for families with multiple children. Offering free school supplies helps alleviate this financial pressure, allowing parents to allocate their budget to other essentials like power, housing, and heat.
- Promotes Educational Equity – Free school supplies ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, have access to the tools they need to succeed in school. This helps reduce the achievement gap between students from different economic backgrounds.
- Improves Student Preparedness – When students have the necessary tools (pencils, notebooks, calculators, etc.), they are more likely to be engaged in their education. Being prepared reduces anxiety and fosters a better learning environment.
- Encourages Equal Participation – Students without proper supplies often feel discouraged from participating in class. Free supplies help remove this barrier, fostering inclusion and ensuring that all students can fully engage in learning activities.
- Boosts Academic Performance – Students who are adequately equipped with school supplies tend to perform better academically. They can focus more on learning rather than worrying about lacking resources, leading to improved grades and overall academic success.
- Supports Teachers and Schools – All too often teachers end up buying supplies for their students and classrooms. By offering free supplies, schools and communities can ease this burden, allowing teachers to focus on teaching rather than resource gaps.
The School Supplies for Students Act
Read the Bill: Bill No. 466 – The School Supplies for Students Act
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