The President of the province’s Teachers’ Association says he is not surprised by a recent report indicating a decline in academic performance.

Results show performance was on the decline before the pandemic in a number of countries including Canada.

Trent Langdon says he isn’t shocked that Newfoundland and Labrador has the largest drop in math scores in Canada since 2018.

He blames the drop on a number factors including increased absenteeism and shortage of teachers.

Langdon says solid education is the foundation to a better future and calls on government to put greater focus on the K-12 system.

He believes if the proper attention is put on the education system within the next decade, certain issues surrounding housing, mental health, and other societal problems will not exist to the extent they do currently.