NDP promises sidewalks for schools

The New Democrats say the province should fund construction of sidewalks near schools where children are forced to walk along busy roads.

Sidewalks are a municipal responsibility, but NDP Leader Darrell Dexter said Thursday there should be an exception when it comes to schools.

Dexter took his campaign to the Kingswood subdivision of Halifax, walking along the shoulder of the road to Kingswood Elementary School.

There are no sidewalks or crosswalks. And with no bus service, many parents have expressed concern about their children getting safely to school.

• FROM MARCH 2, 2006: No bus, no sidewalks for Kingswood students

Dexter said 10 schools would get sidewalks in the first year of an NDP government, based on a needs assessment.

Other NDP promises aimed at improving the safety of school children include changing legislation to let municipalities install red lights at crosswalks, and providing more money for guidance counsellors.

Dexter said an NDP government would set aside enough cash to hire 50 new counsellors.

"It supports the child by taking them out of the particular classroom they are in but keeps them in a learning environment, which is ultimately agreed upon to be a more desirable place for them," he said.

Dexter said he would also give school boards $50,000 each to fund anti-bullying programs.