Province announces increase in funding to all School Divisions

by Staff - February 2, 2023 19
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The Manitoba government is strengthening the province’s education system by increasing funding for kindergarten to Grade 12 schools by $100 million for the 2023-24 school year, representing an increase of 6.1 per cent in operating funding, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced today.

“Our government believes that all students must succeed regardless of where they live, their background or circumstances, and this year’s investment will provide an operating funding increase to each and every school division across the province,” said Ewasko. “Every division will see an increase in funding next year, which will help them engage students and invest in the programs and services that will best meet the needs of local communities.”

Since 2016-17, operational funding to schools has increased by $328 million or 23 per cent, the minister noted.

This year’s annual funding includes an increase of $100 million including:

  • $62.9-million increase in operating support including an additional $20 million to address cost pressures, $5 million for special needs along with increases in other existing grants;
  • $8-million increase in capital support payments;
  • $24-million increase to the Property Tax Offset Grant; and
  • additional $5-million increase for independent schools.

The Manitoba government is also investing another $106 million to make one-time funding provided to school divisions last year permanent. This includes $22 million to support student presence and engagement to facilitate the implementation of Safe and Caring Schools, the new policy directive and action plan for enhancing student presence and engagement.

Making this funding permanent will help school divisions respond to financial pressures, strengthen student learning and supports, and provide additional support for students with special learning needs. Building these increases into the annual funding allotment to schools will ensure these funds remain available now and into the future, the minister said.

“This significant investment in kindergarten to Grade 12 education keeps Manitoba among the highest per-pupil funded provinces across Canada,” said Ewasko. “This investment continues to highlight our ongoing commitment to improving literacy and numeracy and strengthening Indigenous education.”

The minister noted work continues on the development of a new education funding model, with one-to-one consultations planned with each school division post-budget.

The minister noted today’s announcement builds on other recent investments to strengthen Manitoba’s education system with a focus on continuous improvement including:

  • providing an additional $900,000 to increase the Intensive Newcomer Support Grant to $1.8 million, helping schools provide supports for newcomers entering Manitoba’s education system;
  • establishing the Manitoba Education Council to take a provincewide approach to planning, implementing and monitoring Manitoba’s K to 12 Education Action Plan;
  • completing the construction of seven new schools since 2019, with seven additional schools in the design or construction phase;
  • investing $5 million in 57 new projects under the Teachers’ Idea Fund; and
  • launching an action plan on student presence and engagement.

For more information on school funding, visit: https://edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/finance/schfund/index.html.

(Province of MB News Release)

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