CUPE education support members from across Saskatchewan gathered at the legislature today for a press conference demanding action on chronic underfunding in the K-12 education system – a crisis impacting students and staff across the province. They were joined by Carla Beck, Leader of the Official Opposition, in calling for the provincial government to restore funding and protect public education.

“Chronic underfunding and education cuts, including the restructuring of Jordan’s Principle funding, have left schools struggling to provide basic supports,” said Karla Sastaunik, chair of the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers’ Steering Committee, EWSC. “We’re talking classrooms without enough staff, students missing resources, and school divisions forced to make impossible choices every day.”

At the end of September, the EWSC launched a public survey to understand the impact of underfunding. More than 750 people from 20 school divisions responded. The findings reveal a system in crisis:

  • 98% reported their school division faced cuts in the past two years.
  • 86% reported reductions in one-on-one support for students.
  • 29% reported maintenance of school buildings was reduced or cut.
  • Cuts also affected library services, speech-language pathology, and counselling.

“Education support workers are the backbone of inclusive education,” said Tanya Knutson, president of CUPE 4797. “Yet our roles are being eroded by cuts and chronic underfunding.”

Education support workers shared quotes from the survey to illustrate the impact:

  • “Our school went from 7.5 EAs two years ago to 1 EA this year.”
  • “Maintenance cuts mean buildings aren’t getting proper repairs—just temporary fixes as things break down.”
  • “We are drowning in lack of support, making it hard to take breaks. We are all barely keeping our heads above water.”

“These stories are not isolated – they represent what is happening across Saskatchewan,” said Dene Nicholson, president of CUPE 8443. “When schools lose staff and resources, students go without support, and the entire learning environment suffers.”

CUPE and the Official Opposition are calling on the provincial government to significantly increase education funding and ensure adequate staffing levels to meet the needs of students and maintain safe, supportive learning environments.