The Official Opposition is calling on the Conservative Government to take a meaningful step toward addressing the rising cost of living by providing free school supplies for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 9, beginning in September 2026.
Preparing for a new school year is a significant expense for families. The cost of annual school supplies puts added pressure on household budgets, resulting in many teachers going above and beyond by paying out of their own pockets to ensure their students have the resources they need. That is not acceptable.
“During the 2025 provincial election, we promised to give parents and teachers a financial break and greater peace of mind by providing free school supplies for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 9, beginning in September 2026,” says Opposition Leader John Hogan. “We strongly encourage Premier Wakeham and the Conservative Government to adopt this proposal and provide meaningful support to thousands of families across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
With the Finance Minister indicating that a new agreement on the Churchill River is expected soon, and with the potential for significant new revenue for the province, along with the government benefiting from higher oil prices, the Official Opposition is urging the government to support families and provide free school supplies.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s education system is the foundation of our society, culture, and identity, and it remains critical to building a stronger future for our province.
Over the past several years, our former Liberal government made significant investments in education, including the construction of new schools, the introduction and expansion of $10-a-day child care, the addition of more than 400 educators and learning assistants in classrooms, increased investments in technology and school infrastructure, and targeted recruitment and retention initiatives for hard-to-fill positions in rural and remote communities.
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