P.E.I. adds 189 new positions to province’s education system

A classroom at an elementary school in Toronto pictured on Jan. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Prince Edward Island is adding 189 new positions to the province’s education system

The additional positions, which will be in place for the 2025-2026 school year, include:

• 91 instructional staff
• 84 education assistants
• three speech language pathologists
• three bus drivers
• two custodial staff

The province adds there is funding for six positions at the Public Schools Branch.

“Ensuring the Island’s public education system meets the increasingly diverse needs of a growing population requires intentional investments in not only infrastructure but the front line as well,” said Robin Croucher, minister of Education and Early Years, in a news release from the province.

“The additional positions in the system will help students learn and thrive while easing pressure on our educators and school staff so schools can remain the healthy and safe place they are meant to be for children’s learning and development.”

The province says the investment made last year in the Positive Behaviour Intervention and Supports program will continue in the same Public Schools Branch schools:

• Bloomfield Elementary
• Cardigan Consolidated
• Central Queens Elementary
• Greenfield Elementary
• Montague Consolidated
• Morell Consolidated
• Parkdale Elementary
• Parkside Elementary
• Prince Street Elementary
• Queen Elizabeth Elementary
• Sherwood Elementary
• Southern Kings Consolidated
• Spring Park Elementary
• St. Jean Elementary
• Stratford Elementary
• Vernon River Consolidated
• West Kent Elementary
• Westwood Primary

“The Positive Behaviour Intervention and Supports (PBIS) program involves the entire school to promote a positive culture with dedicated behaviour support teachers and other supports to improve students’ social, emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes,” read a 2024 news release from the P.E.I. government.

Free essential school supplies and healthy meals at no or low cost to families will continue to be provided during the school year.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.