Released on March 19, 2014
Overall funding for Education has increased by 3.1 per cent from 2013-14. School operating funding, which includes money collected from the education property tax, will be $1.82 billion in 2014-15, up $42.0 million or 2.4 per cent from last year.
“Student success is a priority for our government and important for the future of our province,” Education Minister Don Morgan said. “We believe that continued investment in Saskatchewan students and early learners will have a direct impact on their future success.”
This budget also continues to address the challenges of growth that some school divisions are facing by providing $19.2 million in new funding for student enrolment increases and $6.9 million for up to 29 new relocatables and for the relocation of 10 existing ones.
Saskatchewan students will benefit from:
- $815,000 in new funding to implement Saskatchewan’s Action Plan to Address Bullying and Cyber-Bullying;
- $588,000 in new funding to expand English as an Additional Language (EAL) supports;
- $200,000 in new funding to provide Alternate Format Materials for students with disabilities;
- a $2.0 million increase for Community Net bandwidth upgrade to increase internet speeds for rural schools and expand capacity in urban schools; and
- $6.0 million in funding – double the amount provided last year - for the continued response to recommendations from the Joint Task Force on Improving First Nations and Métis Education and Employment Outcomes in Saskatchewan.
The budget includes $4.1 million in new funding to proceed with the replacement of two elementary schools in Regina - Connaught and Sacred Heart, and two major renovation projects in Moose Jaw -Sacred Heart and St. Brieux. It also provides $24 million - a 23.6 per cent increase - in funding for preventative and emergency maintenance for Saskatchewan schools.
The government is continuing to invest in early learning opportunities and licensed child care spaces. This budget provides an increase of $1.2 million to support 15 new Pre-Kindergarten programs and $2.2 million in increased funding to create 500 additional licensed child care spaces in 2014-15.
“Our government approach to education puts student first,” Morgan said. “We are committed to working with students, teachers, parents, caregivers and sector partners to better support students and ensure they have the tools to succeed.”
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506