The NLTA is calling for a “long-overdue increase” in the number of speech-language pathologists in the province, and Opposition education critic Paul Dinn is pointing to what he calls a problem in the system.

Dinn says it’s not a question of having speech-language pathologists available – they’re there; he told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that it’s just a matter of hiring them full-time.

“Many, who are working out of province, many who are working through technology out of province, and many who have applied and who have been looking for work within the province,” he said.

“From what I understand, some of these speed language pathologists have been offered casual employment when we need full-time permanent individuals in this system. And when they’re offered this casual employment, they’re told, ‘you may not get the hours.'”