PEI facing shortage of school psychologists.

In Prince Edward Island, students currently have to wait up to three years to see a psychologist for help.

But in a report by CBC News, the province's Education Department is finding out why.

Deputy Education Minister Sandy MacDonald explains psychologists face a heavy workload.

Parents are turning to them more to have their children assessed due to the media coverage of school violence children may be exposed to.

She adds that a local school board is facing a shortage of psychologists, as half of its entire staff are on leave this year.

The reason may be the low pay - it is 10 % lower than the rest of Atlantic Canada.

MacDonald says the Department is hoping to have the review finished by the end of the month.

The demand for school psychologists in PEI has risen to an alarming eight for every 20-thousand students.