AG disappointed Education Department won’t review Eastern Passage high school

Nova Scotia’s auditor general says the Education Department lacks long-term planning for capital projects and approved a new $21 million school with no analysis to support the decision.

In his November report, Michael Pickup says there was evidence the department had concerns about the impact a new high school approved for Eastern Passage would have on Cole Harbour High, and Auburn Drive High School.

The populations of those schools are expected to drop below 50 per cent capacity once the new Eastern Passage school opens.

“We think Nova Scotians deserve to hear why this school should be built given the lack of support for it,” he said.

The report also says four schools were approved by cabinet that ranked behind other unapproved projects based on committee assessments.

“There was $46-million approved by cabinet for two schools, one by Tatamagouche and one in Bridgetown, while these schools ranked 26th and 28th,” he explained.

Pickup also reviewed critical infrastructure and says the province lacks planning to ensure safety and resiliency in areas such as transportation, communications and utilities.

The report also says the Education Department needs to do more to monitor licensed agencies responsible for family home day cares which serve 1,200 children.

The auditor general makes 23 recommendations, he’s says all but one have been accepted by government, the only exception being to revisit the decision related to in Eastern Passage high school.

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