What are the parties promising on Education?

Indigenous learning

We don't have any Liberal policies on Indigenous learning.

We don't have any PC policies on Indigenous learning.

NDP

Work with Indigenous governments, communities, and organisations to promote equal access to quality education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students

"Collaborating with Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations to support every child’s success and promote equal access to quality education for Indigenous and non- Indigenous students." — A Better Deal for People in Newfoundland and Labrador, retrieved 2025-09-27

K-12 curriculum

We don't have any Liberal policies on K-12 curriculum.

PC

Focus K-12 curriculum on reading, writing, math, science, and computer skills

"Strengthen the basics in education. We will focus on reading, writing, math, science, and computer skills—while also supporting creativity and well-being. The curriculum will better prepare students to meet national and global standards." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08
Expand opportunities for students to learn new technologies in K-12 classes

"Expand opportunities for students to learn new technologies in our K-12 school system." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08

We don't have any NDP policies on K-12 curriculum.

K-12 funding and staffing

Liberal

Provide free school supplies for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 6

"A re-elected Liberal Government will give parents and teachers a financial break and peace of mind by providing free school supplies for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 6, beginning in September 2026.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will work with NLSchools and Le Conseil scolaire francophone provincial, in consultation with educators, to issue bulk requests for proposals from retailers to provide standardized school supplies for students across the province. Schools will then distribute supplies as required throughout the school year. By ordering in bulk, we will be able to keep costs low while delivering high quality supplies to every student in the province.

This will cost an additional $3 million per year, and directly helps families in Newfoundland and Labrador with the cost of living. "

— nlliberals.ca, retrieved 2025-10-02
Expand the school lunch programme to cover all NL Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 students

"A re-elected Liberal government will further expand the school lunch program to cover all Newfoundland and Labrador Pre-Kindergarden to Grade 9 students under this program by the end of the 2026-2027 school year." — nlliberals.ca, retrieved 2025-10-02

PC

Hire and retain more teachers
Work with the NLTA to improve working conditions, reduce class sizes, tackle school violence, and increase mental health and classroom support
Stop splitting teaching positions beyond half-time
Train more teachers locally

NDP

Hire 200 additional student and teaching assistants for the K-12 system
Consult with teachers, parents, and school communities on achieving optimal teacher-student ratios and bringing down class sizes

"We’ll consult with teachers, parents and school communities about ways to achieve optimal teacher-student ratios and bring down class sizes." — A Better Deal for People in Newfoundland and Labrador, retrieved 2025-09-27

K-12 learning needs

We don't have any Liberal policies on K-12 learning needs.

PC

Hire Student Assistants and Teaching Assistants earlier in the school year, and stop laying them off over Christmas and Summer breaks

"Treat Student Assistants and Teaching Assistants with respect. We will fix the policy which hires these essential classroom supports too late in the school year; we will stop the practice of laying them off over the Christmas and Summer breaks." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08
Provide tools and resources to identify and support students with physical, developmental, or learning challenges in their early education

"Provide Student Assistants to students who need them. Too many students in our province have had their much needed support taken away from them this school year. We will work with students, families, and schools to help every child have a path to success. Support early assessment and intervention. We will provide tools and resources to identify and support students with physical, developmental, or learning challenges early in their education." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08
Strengthen inclusive education with individualised support and small-group instruction

"We will strengthen inclusive education with individualized support and small-group instruction to help every student succeed." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08

We don't have any NDP policies on K-12 learning needs.

K-12 mental health

We don't have any Liberal policies on K-12 mental health.

PC

Improve students' access to school psychologists and social workers
Make psychologists and social workers available to students year-round

We don't have any NDP policies on K-12 mental health.

K-12 school buildings and maintenance

We don't have any Liberal policies on K-12 school buildings and maintenance.

PC

Conduct a needs assessment on schools and maintenance requirements, and implement a plan to replace schools, with priority on schools in serious disrepair

"Conduct a needs assessment of K–12 schools and maintenance requirements. Based on clearly defined criteria—including overcrowding, structural condition, age, and projected community growth—we will implement a plan to replace schools. Priority will be given to schools in serious disrepair, such as Frank Roberts Junior High." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08

We don't have any NDP policies on K-12 school buildings and maintenance.

Post-secondary costs and loans

We don't have any Liberal policies on Post-secondary costs and loans.

PC

Provide a tuition refund for graduates who work in the province
Start an immediate review of tuition and fees at Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic, including provincial student loans and grant programmes

NDP

Reverse the 2022 tuition increase, and freeze tuition

"We’ll reverse the 2022 Liberal tuition hike – saving students and their families thousands of dollars – and bring back the tuition freeze." — A Better Deal for People in Newfoundland and Labrador, retrieved 2025-09-27

Post-secondary institutions

We don't have any Liberal policies on Post-secondary institutions.

PC

Disallow Memorial University from expanding or increasing tuition until it cuts administrative staff and resolves outstanding critical maintenance

"Require Memorial University to be fiscally responsible with the funding it receives. We will not allow MUN to balance its books on the backs of students. We will not allow MUN to expand its footprint or increase tuition until it ends administrative bloat, resolves outstanding critical maintenance, and returns its focus to students." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08
Match the College of the North Atlantic's offerings with labour market needs in NL's regions

"Break down barriers to education by ensuring post-secondary programming is available to students of all regions of the province in a manner that is cost effective. This will be done utilizing distance education and by matching the offerings of the College of the North Atlantic with labour market needs in the regions." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08
Use distance education to provide post-secondary education in all regions of the province

"Break down barriers to education by ensuring post-secondary programming is available to students of all regions of the province in a manner that is cost effective. This will be done utilizing distance education and by matching the offerings of the College of the North Atlantic with labour market needs in the regions." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08
Forecast future labour shortages and adjust class sizes in advance to prioritise labour market needs

"Align new post-secondary offerings with future labour market needs. We will forecast future labour shortages and adjust class sizes in advance of these shortages to respond more expeditiously to changing labour market needs." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08

We don't have any NDP policies on Post-secondary institutions.

School meals

Liberal

Expand the school lunch programme to cover all NL Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 students

"A re-elected Liberal government will further expand the school lunch program to cover all Newfoundland and Labrador Pre-Kindergarden to Grade 9 students under this program by the end of the 2026-2027 school year." — nlliberals.ca, retrieved 2025-10-02

PC

Expand school meals for K-12 students

"Expand school meals for K–12 students. Kids can’t learn when they’re hungry—yet nearly 40% of children in our province live in food-insecure households." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08