A study of education and economics in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador since Confederation (1949).

Liu, Ben-Chieh. (1965) A study of education and economics in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador since Confederation (1949). Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

In the study of economic growth emphasis is at present being placed on the development of human resources, in which development the role of education is featured prominently. This study is an attempt to examine some aspects of the role of education in the economic development of this province since 1949. -- The study examines firstly the basic structure and the gradual diversification of Newfoundland’s economy. It gives a detailed analysis of population dynamics by census division, the rapid growth in school age population and the population distribution in this province. The evolution of elementary and secondary education in Newfoundland is studied. The methods of financing education in the province are also investigated, while some criteria for educational investment have been discussed. Comparisons between Newfoundland and the rest of Canada intend to show the effects of education on economic growth in Newfoundland. These effects help to interpret the changes in the rate of unemployment, the structure of occupations, as well as labor incomes. -- The most important findings of this thesis are: -- i. Although the economic structure in Newfoundland is still predominately based on the exploitation of natural resources, diversification and industrialization have taken place. -- ii. Despite the great achievement in economic development since Confederation the economic develop in Newfoundland is retarded by a relatively high rate of unemployment, a comparatively poor infrastructure, unfavorably endowed natural resources and lack of skilled labor. -- iii. Newfoundland has had the highest birth rate and the lowest death rate in Canada in almost every year since 1949; this has resulted in high rate of population growth which has aggravated the problems of overpopulation and of unemployment. This has also required a very heavy government investment in education. -- iv. Urbanization and centralization have taken place extensively, but a very unbalanced distribution of population in Newfoundland has caused difficulties in allocating social overhead capital in some cases. -- v. Newfoundland has had a comparatively higher rate of improvement in education than in Canada as a whole during the past fifteen years; however, Newfoundland still rank last in almost every field of education when compared to the other provinces. -- vi. The Provincial Government has been mainly responsible for the costs of education and has contributed a much higher percentage of the costs than any other provincial government in Canada; nevertheless, the absolute amount spent on education per student in Newfoundland is still very low. -- vii. Because Newfoundland has enjoyed a comparatively high rate of improvement in education since Confederation, it has benefited substantially as shown by the comparatively low rate of increase in unemployment, a more rapid absorption in the high earning occupations, and a faster rate of increase in per capita incomes as compared to Canada as a whole. -- viii. The relationship between education and economic development is very close in Newfoundland and it is likely that the income gap between Newfoundland and the rest of Canada will be bridged as the educational difference between the two is eventually eliminated.

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