Using the Scottish experience to study the effects of offshore oil development on the school system in Newfoundland and Labrador

• Main Author: Hewlett, Marina Elizabeth
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1983
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/4445/; https://research.library.mun.ca/4445/1/Hewlett_MarinaElizabeth.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/4445/3/Hewlett_MarinaElizabeth.pdf

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the potential impact of the development of offshore oil and gas on the structure and process of the public education system in Newfoundland and Labrador. To accomplish this, it was decided to study the effects of the North Sea oil development on the educational system in the Grampian, Shetland and Orkney regions of Scotland. This information was intended to be used as background data when examining the Newfoundland situation. -- The data were collected through a case study method. The author travelled to Scotland and interviewed a number of key personnel at different levels of the Scottish education system. The results of the investigation were divided into four areas: Administrative Planning; Learning Climate; Teacher Supply; and Vocational Development. -- The effects of the North Sea development on education in Scotland were very localized and differences were found within the three geographical regions impacted by development. Administrative planning in both the Grampian and Shetland areas was disrupted by the significant influx of new students associated with population movements. Large scale school construction was necessary. In the area of learning climate, changes had taken place in the classroom environment to accommodate a multicultural population. Changes had also taken place among the local Shetland students. Teacher supply shortages in particular subject areas were found to be more a function of career choice and had little to do with offshore oil development. Population increases in the affected areas helped to stabilize school enrolments. The oil development did not affect the school retention rate, but it did open up new occupational choices for Scottish youth. -- The Newfoundland and Labrador Education system is different from that of Scotland since there is in existence a denominational education system. The distribution of finances and the allocating of resources to several separate school boards within the same district adds a complexity which did not ...