REGINA – More money is on the way to schools in Saskatchewan to help deal with increased enrolment.
Enrolment has increased by more than 4,500 in the last two years and school divisions are feeling growth pressures.
Education Minister Russ Marchuk says investing in education is important to the future of the province given the rise in population.
“This is especially challenging now, with school enrolments increasing for the first time in many years,” said Marchuk.
The provincial government announced funding to schools will increase by 6.7 per cent in the upcoming year.
School operating funding, which includes money collected from the education property tax, will increase by $40.6 million, up 2.3 per cent to $1.775 billion.
Capital funding has also been increased by 6.4 per cent to $119.6 million, up $7.2 million.
That includes $18.7 million for the construction of major projects in Martensville, Hudson Bay and Leader and $1.9 million to begin planning new school projects in Langenburg and Gravelbourg.
Up to 40 new relocatables are scheduled to be in place for this fall.
Money is also being investing in early learning and child care.
Nearly $600,000 will go towards the expansion of 15 new pre-kindergarten programs along with $1 million in capital support.
Another $2.3 million in operating funding will go towards the creation of 500 new child care spaces, including eligible school-based sites.
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