Saskatchewan Government Rejects Opposition Claims on School Staffing

The Saskatchewan government has responded to opposition allegations regarding staffing cuts in schools, asserting that the claims do not accurately represent the education landscape across the province. The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) highlighted findings from the Ministry of Education’s 2025–26 Education Sector Staffing Profile, which they argue indicates a net loss of 26 classroom teachers and 47 educational assistants compared to the previous year. The NDP also pointed out that student enrollment is on the rise, with nearly 1,000 more middle years students and 1,000 additional secondary school students.

During a press conference, NDP education critic Matt Love emphasized that the data reveals schools are operating beyond their capacity. He stated, “We’re calling on this government to stop shortchanging our schools and to start investing in the future of every child, in every community across Saskatchewan. Our kids only get one shot at childhood, and we need to make sure that we get it right.”

Parents are also expressing concerns about staffing shortages impacting their children’s education. Tanner Henry and Celine Carlson, whose nine-year-old daughter has autism and is non-verbal, reported worsening staffing challenges. “At the start of this year, it was probably one to three times a week that I was getting called to come and pick her up and bring her home, because they simply just can’t meet her needs,” Henry told CTV News. Carlson added, “They’re just kind of trying to deal with her, and that’s not fair to them and that’s not fair to her. We want her to thrive and because she doesn’t have those supports, she’s not thriving.”

In contrast, the Ministry of Education contends that the opposition’s focus on the number of classroom teachers and educational assistants does not provide a comprehensive view of staffing levels or the variety of supports available to students. The ministry’s statement pointed out that the 2025–26 staffing profile indicates a net increase of 651.3 full-time equivalent (FTE) educators year-over-year, despite the reported losses in specific categories. This figure includes staff hired by school divisions and the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre.

The ministry elaborated that even when excluding classroom complexity teachers, there was a net increase of 157.3 FTE educators. The statement clarified that staffing decisions are made locally, which can lead to misunderstandings about hiring practices. “Boards of education across Saskatchewan have the authority to hire staff who will deliver appropriate programs based on the needs of their students,” it noted. These hires are not limited to classroom teachers; they can include counsellors, administrators, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists.

The Saskatchewan government maintains that it is focused on student success and providing flexibility to school divisions. Meanwhile, the opposition continues to argue for increased classroom staffing to address the growing demands of students and ensure adequate support for all learners.