The Leader of the Saskatchewan NDP says a heavily redacted copy of a report on the government’s investigation into three Qualified Independent Schools indicates significant issues around finances and curriculum. Carla Beck explains that last August there were allegations of emotional and physical abuse from the three schools – Grace Christian School, which was shut down, Regent Academy and Legacy Christian Academy, formerly Christian Centre Academy. The Official Opposition says it was later revealed that the allegations had been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Education as far back as 2016.

Minister Dustin Duncan appointed administrators to investigate and oversee the three schools. Beck says Legacy Christian Academy started a surplus revenue fund once the Sask Party started funding the schools, and she notes this comes at a time, when public schools are grappling with making ends meet. The report also suggests one school openly discriminated against students with disabilities in the admissions process.

There is a class-action lawsuit in the works against former teachers and staff at Legacy Christian Academy and Mile Two Church.

The NDP Leader cites that last year, the government approved $9.4 million for qualified independent schools and in the budget announced in March, funding increased by 25 per cent to almost $11.8 million. The Saskatchewan School Boards Association says the budget increase for public and Catholic schools was 0.7 per cent.

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